Budget: How lawmakers view it and their suggestions

By Staff REPORTER

ITANAGAR, Mar 15: Lawmakers in the state assembly cutting across political lines on Wednesday suggested the government on various reform measures for incorporating in the Budget 2017-18, to achieve the desired goal of sab ka saath sab ka vikas.

Senior BJP member Japu Deru in his deliberation stated that the Budget intended to help the people to reach their desired destinations and raised great hopes of the masses.

While advocating that the budget should not be treated as a mere document but a policy and guideline for the government, Deru called upon the MLAs to set example by implementing MLA local area development funds and BADP schemes transparently with high accountability through proper monitoring to benefit the people.

Stating that Arunachal tops in transport subsidy scam in India, Deru suggested for formulating effective policies for successful implementation of all developmental schemes with set target for completion.

RD & PR Parliamentary Secretary Mama Natung suggested for construction of cold storages across the state for preservation of horticultural and agricultural products while advocating for a mechanism to buy-back products of the farmers for forward market linkage through state government’s marketing board to get remunerative price for the farmers.

BJP MLA Tapuk Taku stressed on adequate revenue generation without pilferage to give a new thrust to state building.

Tapuk suggested that land act should be made pragmatic to earn revenue particularly from those who have encroach government land and added that illegal collection of sand and boulders from river beds should be checked and impose royalty to enrich the state coffer.

Stating that budget is not a collection of numbers but expression of values and aspirations, senior BJP lawmaker Wanglin Lowangdong said the futuristic budget is a commendable job.

“The Rs 4000 crore debt liability overcome by the government is appreciable,” Lowangdong said and called for widening revenue base and to enforce strict checking at the entry gates to check pilferage of revenues.

He further suggested for exploitation of hydropower potentials to the optimum.

Referring to the drug and opium menace in the state especially, in the eastern districts, the senior lawmaker said that as per Narcotic Control Bureau report of 2014, 762 tonnes of opium cultivated in the state.

He added that no de-addiction centers came up in the state even as there are a few but without proper infrastructure and manpower. He also stressed on proper counseling to check the menace.

Journalist turned politician Gabriel Denwang Wangsu (BJP) said that the shape of the budget had been changed making it more enterprising by deviating from stereotype.

“The contents reflected the vision of the government with clear intentions. Serious attempts have been made in the budget to address the core issues for development and to unlock the locked potentials,” he pointed out.

“The state government has decided to skill 50,000 registered unemployed youth while striking a golden mean between the resources and demands,” Gabriel said adding, still ye dil mange more to overcome massive global impact even in rural areas.

BJP legislator Laisam Simai called upon the opposition members to have patience to see tangible development in the state under the BJP government.

Terming the budget as ‘Peoples’ Budget’ Simai said that lots of reforms initiated by the government which he said is the aache din.

Karya Bagang (BJP) suggested for judicious utilization of fund and equitable development of all constituencies so that fruits of development percolates down to all sections of the society.