NE got nothing to cheer in Modi budget: Tarun Gogoi

The Assam chief minister in a statement here also said that though the Centre gave an impression that it stood for development of the Northeast, the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy was suspended immediately the BJP came to power. “Today’s budget too announced nothing for creating industries and infrastructure in the region,” Gogoi said.

Gogoi also described as hoodwinking Arun Jaitley’s announcement of setting up an AIIMS in Assam. “By announcing to set an AIIMS-like institution in Assam, the Centre has tried to hoodwink the people. This is because the Assam government had allotted land for the same last year itself and the announcement was nothing new,” he said.

Gogoi, however, thanked the 14th Finance Commission for increasing the devolution of funds to the state to 42 per cent, though most states demanded a 50 per cent increase. He further said that the budget provided nothing new for Assam and North East except carrying forward the old schemes.

“Though connectivity is a real key area for Assam and other Northeastern states that needs major revamp and was crucial for creation of infrastructure, the general budget as well as the railway budget have both failed miserably on this front. Except for continuing with some old schemes, no new schemes have been announced. This itself is proof of the Centre’s lackadaisical attitude towards Assam and Northeast,” the Assam chief minister said.