Assam's financial condition quite stable: Gogoi

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said the financial condition of the state was "quite stable" and not grim as "painted" by the BJP.
Gogoi also accused the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre of "squeezing" the fund flow in Assam by changing the funding pattern and "withdrawing" the Special Status to the state.
"The financial condition is quite stable and not grim as painted by the BJP. The state has stabilised the financial condition through a slew of fiscal discipline and management measures," the chief minister said in a statement here.
He said the state government had been making payment of regular salaries to its employees on time, besides dearness allowances at par with Central government employees.

Pointing out that the Central government has stopped funds to the Zila Parishad, Anchalik Parishad, Autonomous Councils and 6th Schedule Areas, he said the state government had been providing funds from its own resources.
Gogoi said NABARD projects worth Rs 750 crore had been sanctioned this year and the state had bagged Externally-Aided Projects worth Rs 300 crore.

The state government would also avail whopping loans from BRICS New Development Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank soon.
The state had taken up a big plan for developing the Inland Water Transport Infrastructure worth Rs 900 crore, besides the State Finance Department would soon release Rs 300 crore to the Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies.

The chief minister said though at the directive of the Accountant General, Assam revenue and civil deposits have been taken back, provision had been made for the departments to place supplementary budgets from time to time so that the process of development was not affected.
"The finance department has made the flow of funds to the concerned departments smooth and hassle-free," he added.
Gogoi said the guidelines for new schemes, announced in the current budget, to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore had been formulated and the selection process of beneficiaries was underway.
The retention process had been simplified and to ensure transparency e-tendering introduced, he said.