CM issues clarification on opposition’s allegation of Govt taking higher amount of loans

Dec. 22: The winter session of the Assam Legislative Assembly has been witnessing stormy debates on varied issues. Opposition MLA’s are trying to corner the government on a number of issues. One such issue is that of taking loans by the present BJP government of Assam. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma provided clarification to this much controversial issue.

He said, “Assam borrowings are much lower relatively in compare to other states. Our debt – GDP ratio is very good and borrowings are within the limit of FRBM. Our capacity to return loans is robust. I would take more loans within the permissible limit to start super facilities in all the existing medical colleges of Assam. We would take loans proudly and will return it also proudly.”

Assam borrowings are much lower relatively in compare to other states. Our debt – GDP ratio is very good and borrowings are within the limit of FRBM.

Our capacity to return loans is robust.

My speech in Assembly: https://t.co/5ov7DEstlS

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) December 22, 2021

“I clarified in State Assembly on Opposition’s allegations of my Government taking loans more than the permissible amount. This house had unanimously adopted a resolution to raise the loan amount taken by the Government under the FRB Act from 3% to 3.5% of the GDP. Now the same members are making an issue. Those who are making a fuss are hatching a deliberate conspiracy to derail the State’s growth,” added the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister further stated that the state government takes loan on the basis of 3 criteria. These are permission from the Assam Assembly, permission from the Govt of India and permission from the RBI. He added that the state government has successfully met up all obligations.

However, the Chief Minister failed to convince the opposition. MLA Sivasagar Akhil Gogoi demanded that the Chief Minister should publish a white paper on the issue of government taking loans. This was accepted by the Chief Minister who assured to publish a white paper on loan by the state government in the next session. The Chief Minister further stated that if the opposition does not want the government to take loans, than it will have to impose more taxes upon the people and also lower DA issued to the employees.