GUWAHATI, March 1 (AGENCIES): The Union Budget of 2011-12 has failed to make opposition parties in the state happy. According to AGP, the budget lacked new ideas and infusion of fresh impetus for development in the northeast.
"Apart from some increase in allocations, I haven't seen any new idea or directions for development in the northeast in general and Assam in particular. There are a number of new projects for other election-bound states, but nothing for Assam," said AGP MP Kumar Deepak Das. He added that the Budget was silent on solving the problems of unemployment, floods and erosion in the state. Former chief minister and leader of the opposition, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, has termed the Budget "insensitive" as he feels it has once again deceived the expectations of people, especially those living in the northeast. "This is not an aam aadmi budget," said Mahanta while talking to the media on Monday. He added, "Pranab Mukherjee toed the railway minister Mamata Banerjee's line by avoiding the entire northeastern region and Assam in the Budget. Though some parts of the country are happy, there is nothing to cheer for NE."
Mahanta said though the Budget has a mention about corruption, it didn't give any solution.
According to BJP, the Budget was not forward-looking in terms of solving unemployment problem. "I didn't find anything forward looking in the budget, especially for the northeast. Unemployment is increasing in the region, but there are no measures to control it," added BJP president Ranjit Dutta. AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal said the Budget has failed to give proper attention to fencing of the India-Bangladesh border. "It has totally ignored the minority community. The increase in allocation for the ministry of minority affairs did not commensurate with the requirement," added Ajmal. CPI (M) feels the Budget is anti-people and would not bring succour to people of the northeast reeling under price rise. CPI national council member and former minister Pramod Gogoi said, "As far as the northeast is concerned, the package announced in the Budget is very insufficient for the region. If the amount is divided among eight states, the share will be very less. Overall, the Budget is election-oriented and people of Assam have nothing to be happy about," he said. Economist and executive director of Rastriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi, Amiyo Sarma, added, "I am happy with the Budget. Assam has been included in the Green Revolution for the eastern region. Also, there is a lot of thrust on social sectors which will definitely benefit the northeast. Money is not a problem for development in the region. My concern is proper implementation and utilization of funds."
However, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Monday welcomed the Budget. It stated that the special assistance of `8,000 crore to the northeast and special category states would boost NE's development needs. The Indian Chamber of Commerce North East Regional Council (ICCNERC) said the Budget would benefit the aam aadmi and promote inclusive growth for the northeastern region along with rest of the country.
ICCNERC chairperson Mahesh Saharia added that the strong focus on agriculture and social sectors would help in promoting inclusive growth both in the region and the country.
Aasu, however, criticized the Budget saying it was anti-Assam as no significant assistance was given to the state. "This time, too, the Centre neglected us by hardly allotting any specific schemes in the Budget. No steps were taken to make the problem of floods and erosion a national problem. Further, we do not see anything for the conservation of Majuli island and the reopening of the Ashok Paper Mill," said Aasu adviser Samujjal Bhattacharyya.
"Apart from some increase in allocations, I haven't seen any new idea or directions for development in the northeast in general and Assam in particular. There are a number of new projects for other election-bound states, but nothing for Assam," said AGP MP Kumar Deepak Das. He added that the Budget was silent on solving the problems of unemployment, floods and erosion in the state. Former chief minister and leader of the opposition, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, has termed the Budget "insensitive" as he feels it has once again deceived the expectations of people, especially those living in the northeast. "This is not an aam aadmi budget," said Mahanta while talking to the media on Monday. He added, "Pranab Mukherjee toed the railway minister Mamata Banerjee's line by avoiding the entire northeastern region and Assam in the Budget. Though some parts of the country are happy, there is nothing to cheer for NE."
Mahanta said though the Budget has a mention about corruption, it didn't give any solution.
According to BJP, the Budget was not forward-looking in terms of solving unemployment problem. "I didn't find anything forward looking in the budget, especially for the northeast. Unemployment is increasing in the region, but there are no measures to control it," added BJP president Ranjit Dutta. AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal said the Budget has failed to give proper attention to fencing of the India-Bangladesh border. "It has totally ignored the minority community. The increase in allocation for the ministry of minority affairs did not commensurate with the requirement," added Ajmal. CPI (M) feels the Budget is anti-people and would not bring succour to people of the northeast reeling under price rise. CPI national council member and former minister Pramod Gogoi said, "As far as the northeast is concerned, the package announced in the Budget is very insufficient for the region. If the amount is divided among eight states, the share will be very less. Overall, the Budget is election-oriented and people of Assam have nothing to be happy about," he said. Economist and executive director of Rastriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi, Amiyo Sarma, added, "I am happy with the Budget. Assam has been included in the Green Revolution for the eastern region. Also, there is a lot of thrust on social sectors which will definitely benefit the northeast. Money is not a problem for development in the region. My concern is proper implementation and utilization of funds."
However, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Monday welcomed the Budget. It stated that the special assistance of `8,000 crore to the northeast and special category states would boost NE's development needs. The Indian Chamber of Commerce North East Regional Council (ICCNERC) said the Budget would benefit the aam aadmi and promote inclusive growth for the northeastern region along with rest of the country.
ICCNERC chairperson Mahesh Saharia added that the strong focus on agriculture and social sectors would help in promoting inclusive growth both in the region and the country.
Aasu, however, criticized the Budget saying it was anti-Assam as no significant assistance was given to the state. "This time, too, the Centre neglected us by hardly allotting any specific schemes in the Budget. No steps were taken to make the problem of floods and erosion a national problem. Further, we do not see anything for the conservation of Majuli island and the reopening of the Ashok Paper Mill," said Aasu adviser Samujjal Bhattacharyya.
