The C.M’s (who also holds finance portfolio) reply in the Budget Discussion for 2010-2011 has said that the loan from financial institution is Rs. 5,239 crore (five thousand two hundred thirty nine crore). However as per the reply to starred question No. 38 in regards to loan taken from 1980-81 to 2009-2010 the total amount of loan taken from various financial institution is Rs. 150928.46 (fifteen thousand and nine crore twenty eight lakh fourty six thousand). The total repayment of loan during the same period ending March 2010 is Rs. 69364.35 and therefore, the balance due is Rs. 150928.45 - 69364.35 = Rs. 81564.11. The question here is, which reply should be taken as fact whether the C.M’s or the answer to starred question No.38. Further the total loan amount to be spent on repayment of loan under Demand 75 for 2010-2011 is Rs. 1,21827.45 ( one thousand two hundred eighteen crore twenty seven lakh and fourty five thousand). Our debt is on the high rise and our repayment of debt is eating away a very big chunk of our revenue. Where is our state leading with such high debt burden?
In the budget speech of the C.M. in 2008, page -8 para-13, he has mentioned about the upgradation of Wazeho Cement Plant from 50 metric ton (M.T) per day to 150 metric ton (M.T) per day. An amount of Rs. 22.22 crore was spent for upgradation and the same was inaugurated by Shri. Kipili Sangtam Hon’ble MLA on 27th June, 2008. But on 22nd July, 2010 in reply to starred question No.25 it was stated that the upgradation work was started in June 2004 and completed in January 2010. But the cement plant after its closure in 2003 continue to be shut down even after the inauguration and completion of upgradation, the Government is paying its employees an amount to Rs. 12,48,64,000 (Twelve crore fourty eight lakh sixty four thousand ) as salaries for the last eight years. When the work is completed the plant should start functioning, but the state Government is wasting public money as the plant remain idle. What is the purpose of upgradation when it cannot function? Other than providing funds for upgradation work, fund is not provided for maintenance of roads without which the factory cannot function as the raw materials have to be ferried to the factory and the finished products have to be carried from the factory. Under road programme huge amount is allocated, but why is the road to this important state own factory has to be neglected?
Likhimro Hydel Electric Project (LHEP) was leased out to a private through Contract Agreement for a period of 10 years signing the agreement on 23rd March 2006. As per the agreement the power charges is 1.17 paise per unit for two years with increment of 0.05 paise per unit every after two years . In other words from 2006 to 2008 per unit charges is 1.17 paise, from 2008 to 2010 per unit charges rises to Rs. 1.22 paise.
Likhimro Hydel Electric Project generated 308.49 million unit during 2009-2010 ending March. Therefore, the payment of power charges should be Rs. 1.22 Paise x 308.49 million units = Rs. 37.63578 crore. But the fund released against operation and maintenance against LHEP during 2009-2010:
a. On 22-05-2009 released by the Finance Department of- Rs. 33,33,3000/-
b. On 15-09-2009 released by the Finance Department of- Rs. 49,80,0000/-
c. On 24-09-2009 released by the Finance Department of- Rs. 16,86,7000/-
Total Rs.100,000000/- (One hundred crore)
Another group of releases were made for payment of Energy Bill against general drawing limit:
a. On 22/05/09 released by Finance Department of- Rs. 34,39,00,000/-
b. On 10/08/09 released by Finance Department of- Rs. 46,50,00,000/-
c. On 21/17/09 released by Finance Department of- -Rs. 22,28,00,000/-
Total Rs. 103,17,00,000/- (One hundred and three crore and seventeen lakh).
During the year 2009-2010, the total Power unit purchased is 475.50 million units and the total amount for the purchase of the power is Rs. 126.80 crore. Where as the total amount released is Rs. 203.17 crore i.e Rs. 203.17 – 126.80 = Rs. 76.37 is the excess released. Where has this money gone?
It is a known fact that Nagaland is resource crunch state and is completely dependant on Government of India for all its activities and the C.M has made it clear that the revenue generation has to be given priority but when we look at the way Power Department where the spending is even more than the contractual agreement what can we expect? Only losses and wastage of public money affecting our revenue receipt.
Year by year our state budget is getting murkier, our deficit is on the increase and our debt is exceeding our annual budget. But it is very unfortunate that the state Government is unable to spend even the approved plan outlay for 2009-2010. What can we say about such Government which is asking for more and cannot spent it due to faulty planning and inefficient administration of revenue earning department. During year 2009-10 plan outlay was Rs. 1500 crore but was revised to Rs. 1429 crore due to non- utilization of Rs. 71 crore (out of Rs. 80 crore) meant for External Aided Plan (EAP) due to increase in non-plan expenditure and decrease in revenue receipt especially in power sector.
1. During 2010-2011 the divisible outlay is only Rs. 380.84 crores against Rs. 1500 crore annual plan.
2. During 2009-2010 the divisible outlay was only Rs. 718 crore against Rs. 1500 crores annual plan.
3. During 2008-2009 the divisible outlay as Rs. 538 crores against Rs. 1300 crores annual plan.
The state Government has undertaken as many developmental work as it can fund, but the worksmanship in all developmental activities is a substandard and not as per specification.
The building so constructed starts eroding even before the bills are cleared, the road constructed deviates from specification and does not last, the black topping works do not even last for 3 months which can be seen by anybody in any black top roads. The C.M is well aware of the problem. Year after year in his assembly speeches and Republic day speeches setting up Quality Control Board has figured, but as of today there is no sign of setting up of such board. Is it a mere slogan or is it too high an ideal for the Government to set up such board? Or is it because of setting up such board will obstruct and hamper the Kickback system which is why the delayed process? If the state government finds so much difficulty even in setting a mere Board consisting of technically skilled people, the Government should not be talking ill of its employee as the state Government is the disease and that there is nothing wrong with our employees or the public.
TOKHEHO YEPTHOMI
Leader of Opposition
& CLP Leader
