Kohima, March 23 (MExN): Reacting to the opposition’s remarks on the budget, state chief minister Neiphiu Rio today said that the government stands by what they have presented to the people on the floor of the house. Rio said that the budget, which was submitted by him on March 20, is well balanced, equitably distributed and is budgeted for the people. Rio said that budgeting is complicated and intricate, and said that it can either be negative or positive.
The projected deficit should have been much lower, but because of the accumulated deficit of Rs 263 crore, the expected deficit has been place at Rs 164 crore, Rio said. Defending the budget from Opposition charges, he said that budget and money distribution has nothing to with the ruling alliance and the opposition. “In fact my treasury bench is complaining because I am doing so many works in the congress-ruled constituencies”, Rio said.
He also cited the developmental activities in Ghaspani constituency, which is represented by Congress MLA Rokonicha to substantiate the claim that his government does not have any favouritism either to the members of the DAN conglomerate or the Congress. The Chief Minister further said that the government wants to bring the backward areas of the state at par with other advance areas.
He viewed absenteeism of officers as a serious concern and said that strict instructions will be given to the officers to serve the people in the interior areas.
Replying to the issue regarding implication of taking loans, Rio said that we go for market borrowing, since grants are not enough. He however said that loans are taken within the permissible limits as set by the Union Ministries of Finance and Planning.
Rio also said that efforts are on to improve the power sector by privatising the existing ones to generate more power.
On the issue of post creation, the leader of the House said that creation of new post will be done, where there is extreme necessity.
He reiterated that an atmosphere of peace and development had been created during the past three years due to the strong policy of DAN Government based on the Common Minimum Programme which is applicable to the people.
(With inputs from DIPR)
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