Budget of NC Hills' Autonomous Council

HAFLONG, March 20: The eight NC Hills Autonomous Council has passed its Budget for the year 2001-2002 under the chairmanship of Kalijoy Sengyung in its session held on March 14 and 15 in the Council's session hall depicting a deficit of Rs 16.07 crore in its revenue sector, a press release said. The total estimated receipt is Rs 8,03,29,800 revenue + Rs 20,37,80,700 Govt Grant + Rs 138,57,50,000 deposit fund = Grand Total Rs 166,98,60,500. Presenting the Budget, the Chief Executive Member and i/c of the finance of the Council Prakanta Warisa who is also Member of Parliament stated that the maximum budgeted expenditure is pertaining to pay and allowances of the employees and hence there was no scope for reduction of the expenditure. He also pointed out that suspension of forest operation, non-receipt of expected revenue from the revenue earning entrusted departments and non-release of the expected amount of administrative charges from the Government of Assam were the main reasons of higher amount of deficit. He, however, assured the House that efforts would be made to minimise the deficit in the coming year not by imposing any new tax or by increasing rate of any existing taxes but by judiciously mobilising the available sources of revenue and by maintaining strict financial discipline both in receipt and expenditure sides. Warisa, CEF, also informed the House that the Council is negotiating with the state government to pay 50% share of the amount the state government receives per unit of power produced under Kopili Hydel Power Project by the NEEPCO.