The budget session of Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) began today with the tabling of the Rs 257.23 crore deficit budget for 2025-2026.
As per the budget presented by Chief Executive Member Thombor Shiwat, the expenditure is estimated at Rs 257, 23, 44,200 while the revenue is estimated at 245, 90, 55,900. The budget showed a deficit of Rs 11, 32, 88,300.
Shiwat also said the JHADC has received the dues from the State government till January 2025 that would enable the district council to pay the pending salary of employees. He said 80 per cent of the arrear will be released from the district council fund of 2024-2025 financial year.
He also informed that under the centrally sponsored scheme for 2024-2025, the district council received Rs 6,32,400 for Digital India Land Record Modernisation Programme (DILRMP). Further through the tied and untied grants the council has implemented 422 schemes in East and West Jaintia Hills that include roads, drinking water, CGI sheets and others.
The CEM informed that house about a decision taken on July 28, 2020 to downsize staff from 1490 to 1215 and passing of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Trading by Non Tribal First Amendment) Rules 2023 besides others.
During the session Shiwat in response to a question by Congress MDC Madonbai Rymbai said the JHADC will have to clear the salary of staff pending for six months.
The CEM also informed that limestone extracted by cement companies from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 amounted to 1,11,36,276 metric tonnes. There are seven cement companies operational in the Jaintia Hills.
VPP MDC Jamshaphrang Pohtam urged the JHADC to recognise the traditional Rongkhli Festival of Nongtalang.
Meanwhile, the JHADC also elected Moonlight Pariat as Chairman of the Planning Board, Wailaddameshwa Siangshai as Honorary Forest Adviser, Reformingson Lamare Chairman of the Customary Law Committee, Krison Langstang Chairman Resources Mobilisation Committee, Wormanship Shadap Chairman Land Revenue and Land Reform and Mihnyngkong Sutnga Chairman, Rules Advisory Committee.
