Centre not releasing Rs. 17000 crore due to Assam: CM Tarun Gogoi

Guwahati: Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday alleged that Center was holding back the release of nearly Rs. 17000 crore dues including the oil royalty to the state, which he said was affecting the development of the state.

In a written statement, Mr Gogoi claimed that his government has not been able to pursue its development related schemes and programmes due to inordinate delay in releasing the fund worth Rs. 17000 crore to Assam.

Contrary to what his opponents accused, Mr Gogoi alleged that central government’s move to cut funds in rural development schemes like AY and MGNREGA reflect the anti-poor and pro-capitalist behavior of the government.

Mr Gogoi however claimed that the change in funding pattern and reduction in the fund flow to the state will have impact on development of the state but his government was devising mechanism to generate its independent source of revenue.

“Irrespective the Centre's indifferent attitude towards Assam and its people and reduction of developmental funds, the state government will continue to pursue welfare schemes along with its development agenda rigorously,” he said.

Mr Gogoi also referred the data of composite development ranking while pointing out that despite indifferent attitude of the central government Assam has made giant leaps and moved to 7th rank from 19th.

Gogoi said in spite of the Centre's "indifferent" attitude, the state government has made giant leaps and moved to 7th position from 19th in composite development ranking.