Assam thanks Cong for 90:10 funding pattern

Guwahati, Sep 13: The Assam government on Saturday, Sep 13 thanked the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre for announcing 90:10 funding pattern for rural development schemes in the North East.

''The Centre and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh must be thanked for this change in policy that would expedite the rural development process in the entire region,'' Assam government spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma told reporters here.

The Centre had announced yesterday that it would share burden of funding in 90:10 pattern with state governments of NE in case of rural development schemes.

The same 90:10 pattern would also be applicable for water supply and total sanitation projects.

Dr Sharma said a change in the funding patter from previous 75:25 was a long-standing demand of the state and welcomed the announcement.

''Rural development was suffering as the states were not being able to contribute their share, resulting in funds remaining unutilised,'' he added.

UNI