Itanagar: The 14th Finance Commission grant of Rs 55,897 crore for the next five years will serve as a game changer to overcome all communication and infrastructure problems confronting Arunachal Pradesh, Union Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha has said.
"This is much higher as against Rs 44,066 crore by the Centre during 2014-15," Sinha said.
The Minister, on his maiden visit to review progress of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Mudra Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Surakshya Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana with the bankers, had discussion with Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, his cabinet colleagues and senior officers led by Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi.
When asked about the financial position of the state, he said it was "excellent" but resented against the overdraft drawn twice during 2013-14 and for 18 days in 2014-15, despite sufficient funds in the treasury, which is unusual in the country as no other state did it.
The Centre is committed to the multi-faceted development of the Northeastern states for which he was on a tour to review the fiscal resources, central programmes and status of economic development of the region.
The 14th Finance Commission, considering the level of socio-economic development, forest coverage and infrastructure level has adopted three-pronged policy for financial allocation, Sinha added.
"The grant will herald rapid development of the hilly and remote areas with disperse population resolving the inherent problems if the funds are used for planned expenditure," Sinha said, while pointing out at the higher administrative non-plan expenditure of the state in comparison to planned expenditure.
Mizoram is behind Arunachal in per capita allocation with Rs 41,742 crore, followed by Sikkim with Rs 32,330 crore, he said, adding that NITI Aayog has also accepted recommendation of its sub-group of CMs by offering 90:10 or 80:20 allocations between Centre and the eight NE and three hilly states.
Sinha said speedy connectivity of roads; air and waterways and telecommunication services by installing towers in hilltops would help in fiscal inclusion programmes. "I have flown over Uttarkhand and saw towers on every hilltop so also Bhutan, which could be emulated by the state government to improve connectivity," he said.
When asked about the controversy regarding the Governor's letter to the Prime Minister on scrapping the Greenfield airport project at Hollongi, he said the airport would be built.
