Assam Government Orders District-Wide Verification of 15th Finance Commission Schemes Amid Financial Anomaly Allegations

Assam government has ordered district commissioners to inspect 15th Finance Commission schemes following allegations of financial irregularities in Morigaon. The step aims to ensure schemes are executed as planned. Additionally, Assam CM supported the removal of a colonial-era Friday prayer break in the state assembly to enhance productivity.

The Assam government on Friday ordered all district commissioners to inspect and verify schemes under the 15th Finance Commission following allegations of financial anomalies in Morigaon district. According to an office order from Dr. JB Ekka, Principal Secretary of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, the directive was issued following a mandate from Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass. The minister emphasized that the goal is to ensure the correct implementation of schemes as per approved plans and estimates.

"Henceforth, all schemes under the 15th Finance Commission will be inspected and verified by the respective District Commissioners for the period from 2021-22 to 2023-24," said the order. The district commissioners are required to submit detailed verification reports to the Principal Secretary for perusal and appraisal. This order is effective immediately. Notably, Congress MLA Asif Mohammad Nazar raised the issue of financial anomalies in Morigaon district during the Assam assembly session on Friday.

In a separate development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that the state assembly has abolished the practice of a two-hour break for Jumma prayers, a decision that was made collectively. "By scrapping the 2-hour Jumma break, the Assam Assembly has prioritized productivity and shed another vestige of colonial baggage," Sarma said. He added that this practice was introduced by the Muslim League's Syed Saadulla in 1937. The decision, which has faced opposition criticism, involved the assembly rules committee that includes members from the minority community.

(With inputs from agencies.)