CHAIRMAN N.K SINGH : ASSAM NEEDS DEVELOPMENT IN EDUCATION AND HEALTH SECTOR TO REACH ALL INDIA AVERAGE

Chairmen N.K Singh in the 15th Finance Commission holding an interactive session at Press Conference stated about the need of Assam for its improvement in the growth of double digit numbers for at least a decade to enable the per capita income in education and health sector to catch up with the All India average.

Although he appreciated significant progress of the State in the last couple of years in achieving high growth rates in revenue generation and maintaining macroeconomic stability. He also noted the significant improvements in the working of the Power sector, and also in the field of reducing T&D losses and achieving 100% metering.

It may be also noted that the commission empathize with the problems faced by the State of Assam in the form of destruction caused by floods, difficulties in training the river Brahmaputra and other flood management systems  appreciated the creative idea given by Chief Minister Shri Sarbanand Sonowal regarding creation of embankment cum circular road to protect Majuli Island and stated that these will be considered in the broader framework of Disaster Relief and Management.

The Commission also noted the complex issues and the uncertainty faced by the state due to GST implementation. While the outcomes needed to be watched further, the Government of India has assured a 14% revenue buoyancy for four years which covers the first year of the award period of the 15th Finance Commission.

The abolition of Planning Commission and the new financing mechanisms need to be considered to ensure that the ongoing growth momentum continues.