Rs 6610 Cr from 2002 to 2017; Rs 10,000 Cr from 2017 to 2022
Ibobi compares borrowings of successive Govts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 02 2022: Former Chief Minister and Opposition leader Okram Ibobi today drew a sharp comparison between the borrowings made by the Congress Government over a span of 15 years and the BJP-led Government during its rule of five years and five months.

While discussing a demand for grants pertaining to the Finance Department in the State Assembly today, the three-time Chief Minister raised a motion for disapproval of policy cut.

During the last Assembly session, the State Government tabled 'Manipur budget at a glance 2022-23' on March 22 this year.

According to the budget, the State's outstanding physical liability is Rs 16,000 crore.

The total amount borrowed by the State Government till March 31 this year was Rs 13,510 crore and this amount rose to Rs 16,000 crore in July, Ibobi said.

Ibobi recalled that the Congress Government led by him was formed in 2002 and the total borrowing from March 31, 2002 to March 31, 2017 was Rs 6610 crore.

The State Government's liability before his Government was installed was Rs 2197 crore, the Opposition leader said.

The total borrowings of the previous BJP-led Government and the current one is around Rs 10,000 crore (Rs 16,000 crore - Rs 6610 crore), Ibobi pointed out.

He asserted that the BJP-led Government which has completed five years and just over four months has borrowed around Rs 10,000 crore.

"I'm saying this based on document and I would be happy to present this document to some of the Members through the Speaker", he said.

Governance is a continu ous process.

One Government will go and another will come but some Members without knowing the truth or details were saying recently that the incumbent Government could not do anything because the previous Congress Government borrowed over Rs 9000 crore, Ibobi remarked.

"I am aware of the loans taken by the BJP-led Government between 2017 and 2021.The Government might have been compelled to take these loans as development works could not cease completely", he continued.

However, the State Government cannot simply go on borrowing as there is a borrowing limit for each and every State which is fixed by the Ministry of Finance, Ibobi pointed out.

Giving details of the areas where the amount of Rs 6610 crore borrowed during the 15 years of Congress rule was spent, the former Chief Minister listed reformation in power sector, stringing of 400 KV power line from Silchar to Yurembam, installation of 400 KV sub-stations, acquisition of land upgrading of Imphal airport to the level of an international airport, payment of State's matching shares in education, health and other sectors, establishment of medical college, construction of a dedicated power sub-station for STPI, Mantripukhri, development of IT Park at Mayangkhang, development of Leishang Hiden, development of RIMS Road, Keishampat to Airport road, Sagolband road, expansion of Khurai-Heikrumakhong road etc.

"I agree if any Member is saying that the 15 years long Congress Government borrowed Rs 6610 crore but if anyone is saying that the Congress Government borrowed Rs 9000 crore, I flatly reject it", Ibobi added.

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