Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on February 15 requested Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for restoration of the special category status to the state and raise central assistance for it in the coming Union Budget.
In a letter to Jaitley, Gogoi pleaded for restoration of the centrally-sponsored schemes and releasing of pending Central Sales Tax compensation due to the state.
He also urged Jaitley to earmark appropriate budget provision to enable the state get royalty on crude oil, VAT and other taxes on the actual market price and not on the basis of heavily discounted sale price.
Besides restoration of the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy 2007, Gogoi urged him to incorporate a special package for promotion and development of the MSME sector.
The Chief Minister requested the Union Finance Minister for a special package for the flood victims and embankment protection works. He also sought special packages for development (councils and for development of areas adjoining Assam-Nagaland border. Gogoi also requested Jaitley for special packages for protection of one-horned rhinos, for establishment of skill development centres in all the 219 development blocks and special assistance for modernisation and upgradation of state police.
Source: The Shillong Times
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