Our Correspondent
Diphu, July 6 (EMN): Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) held its 231 Session at KAAC session hall on Friday, July 6 in front of Deputy Chairman, KAAC Ritesh Enghi.
CEM, KAAC Tuliram Ronghang while placing the interim reports of the house committee on the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on the Accounts of KAAC, said "The financial allocation to the KAAC from the state government do not reach on time which hampers the development process. Revenue from motor vehicle tax has not been received by KAAC for some years.
Ronghang, while placing the interim report of House Committee on the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on the accounts of KAAC for the year ended 31st March, 2011-12, to 2015-16, which was held on May 18, June 8, 19 and 25. The interim report of the House Committee stated that the CAG reveals that the KAAC lacks proper control over expenditure on inherent function and inadequate revenue generation resulting in revenue deficit. Hence the House Committee suggested to the members of the august house of KAAC to adopt measures for control of over expenditure and to adopt policies to earn more revenue. The House Committee also observed that funds to KAAC are released just at the end of financial year resulting in under utilisation of deposit funds in KAAC and suggested that the members of KAAC take up the matter with the state government so that funds could be utilised within the financial year.
As per the CAG report revealed that payable royalty of INR 607000 against bamboo extract by Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited (HPCL) is to be received by KAAC. There is a short fall of revenue from entry tax gate, markets, ghats etc and an amount of INR 19.35 cr from the state government as revenue of motor vehicle tax. The CAG report also observed that KAAC is poor in maintaining financial rules & procedures. The House Committee suggested that KAAC should strictly adhere to financial rules and procedures and maintain proper book of accounts and to strengthen the financial department.
The CEM informed the House that KAAC will be soon meeting Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Finance Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for timely release of funds. “The Team Karbi Anglong comprising of elected members and officials of KAAC are together working effortlessly for development of Karbi Anglong, but the state government is delaying release of funds. If funds are not released on time than development work will be put on halt,” CEM Ronghang said. Later, the CEM told media persons after the Session that very soon delegation of three hill districts of Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao comprising the CEMs and EMs and MACs of KAAC and NCHAC and BJP party leaders will be meeting Prime Minister on Autonomous State issue. Chairman, House Committee, MAC, D. Uphing Maslai informed the House that untimely release of fund allocation from state government is the main hurdle for taking up development by KAAC and it has to be corrected after having proper discussion with the state government. There are also other areas where KAAC is losing revenue and should be covered. EMs Pradip Rongpi, Jagatsing Engti and MAC Dorsing Ronghang also spoke on the CAG report of the House Committee.
Earlier, Deputy Chairman, KAAC Ritesh Enghi led in the obituary of former EM, KAAC late Ramsing Engti, who passed away on July 3. A one minute silence was observed in respect to the departed person. An obituary message was read out by Deputy Chairman Ritesh Enghi.
