Governance-Arunachal assembly passes budget

The Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Wednesday passed the Rs 520.98 crore deficit budget for 2019-20 by voice vote. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein who also holds the finance portfolio had presented the budget on Monday, attaching priority to agriculture and allied sectors while proposing additional import duty on all alcoholic beverages.

Responding to suggestions and observations of the members, Mein said the budget was prepared in accordance with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations Member States. "The UN member states had in 2015 adopted the SDGs which provide a blueprint for peace and prosperity for the people and the planet for now and future," he said.

Lauding the opposition for appreciating the 'historic' budget, Mein said it will show a new direction to the developmental goals of the government with an emphasis on last mile connectivity. He said the state government has set a target of Rs 1440 crore tax revenue and Rs 1050 crore non-tax revenue during 2019-20.

Referring to the resources of the state, Mein said despite huge hydro-power potentials, power generation is less in the state due to lack of coordination between generation, transmission and distribution systems. He said in absence of major industries, the tourism sector could be a money spinner for the state and the government needs to apply brakes on wasteful expenditures.

The state government has brought various reforms in governance curbing illegal appointments, the deputy chief minister said. Participating in the discussion, former chief minister Nabam Tuki urged the government to urge the Centre to reintroduce the 30 percent transport subsidy in the North East Industrial Policy, withdrawn by the NDA government.

Tuki, a Congress member, also suggested a policy for rearing animals like Mithun and yak for the economic development of the tribal youths besides construction of concrete roads in all the district headquarters for durability.