NEW DELHI, March 13 — Unabated infiltration form across the border has hit the economy of Assam, with the Central Government holding the alarming growth of population at the rate of four percent as one the factors responsible of the economic slow down. In a written reply to a question tabled in Rajya Sabha by Vijay J Darda, Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation, S B Mookher-jee said that with the partition of the country the State lost on trade and commerce with the neighbouring areas as riverine transportation through Bangladesh stopped.
Further, over the period State’s population grew at an average rate of around four percent as against the national average rate of growth of 2.3 percent due to immigration from neighbouring States and Bangladesh. The Planning Commission, the Minister conceded has suggested downsizing of financially crippled Assam Government, as 90 percent of its budget is spent on payment of salaries only. The State Government, the Minister noted has not even managed to contribute 10 per cent share needed for centrally sponsored schemes.
Sri Mookherjee said poor infrastructure, lack of fiscal prudence, continuous deforestation, recurring floods and erosion are the other major factors responsible for reversing the growth trend in the per capita income. Continued insurgency and social turbulence are also responsible for draining the scant resources of the State and the Assam Government has not been able to achieve the desired results from the plan schemes over the years.
Meanwhile, Minister for Department for Development of North Eastern Region (DONER), Dr C P Thakur said that his Ministry has taken several measures to ensure early completion of projects in the region. The monitoring mechanism included earmarking of area officers for each of the States, inspection of projects by the officials of DONER, timely release of funds to the State Government, quarterly review meetings with officials of State Government, audit of few projects by Comptroller and Auditor General.