SHILLONG, SEPT 24: Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma has accused the BJP-led NDA government for adopting a “tactic” to deprive the NE states including Meghalaya even as he asked the state government to pass a resolution demanding the immediate release of its entitlement.
“…the House should take a resolution on this to urge upon the government of India to immediately release those funds whether it is in respect of NEC or in respect of NLCPR and ensure the state is not deprived,” Sangma said.
The former chief minister was participating in the discussion on the special motion to discuss the overall development of the state, the need to seek more financial assistance from the centre and also to earnmark budget provision for the 11 districts moved by Congress MLA from Mawlai PT Sawkmie during the ongoing session of the Assembly held here on Monday.
Sangma also requested the chief minister Conrad K Sangma and his government to aggressively pursue the matter with government of India and ensure the state is not deprived.
“I am seeing silence from the state government may be they are scared of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, let us not because we are representing the people and we represent the state and the state is in dire need of funds every single paise that comes will have impact and bring transformation and create a turn around for the state,” he said.
Alleging the Central government of retaining the funds meant for the state, the opposition leader said, “I have seen the government of India has adopted a tactic to deprive the state. I have caution the state government because I could see and I could read between lines what is the actual intent (of the Centre).”
“The whole approach of the government of India is to retain the money which is otherwise the entitlement of the states. It is agonizing, it is painful and it is unacceptable for a small state like Meghalaya which depends on its minimum resources,” he added.
He alleged that the funds which are supposed to be transferred by government of India through schemes are being withheld.
“I am afraid that the manner in which the resources are being transferred by government of India the state and the people are being deprived not only the state of Meghalaya but in the whole North East,” he said.
Sangma further questioned why the North Eastern Council (NEC) has instructed to put on hold different projects despite these have been identified by the state government based on priorities.
According to him, the state government despite knowing that these projects are important cannot give sanctions in order to avoid duplicacy.
Stating that it is a serious matter, he said when the projects are being withheld the funds cannot be utilized making the government unable to submit the utilization certificates (UCs).
“Another part is ministry of DoNER, is the government aware of this, is the chief minister aware of this what is status of projects in respect of NEC, a big manipulator is sitting in Delhi, a manipulation to deprive the states from getting the funds,” he said.
Also pointing out that the 2019 Lok Sabha elections is knocking on the door, the Congress leader said, “With the attitude of the government of India which is reflected by the action as an evidence which proves beyond reasonable doubt, their intention of retaining funds as far as possible and diverting it for something else. Where are all those money going? Let them initiate new things but not at the cost of people and the state.”
Sangma further stated that after December, the government of India will be in a no sanction mode and reiterated the need for the state government to start pursuing while there is still time.
By Our Reporter
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