Guwahati: In a move that could trigger a controversy, the Congress-led Assam government today announced to distribute at least Rs 200 cash to BPL families as "gift" during Rongali Bihu festival in April, just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Presenting the state`s interim Budget for 2014-15, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said: "After two months, the people of Assam will be celebrating Rongali Bihu. I propose to give a modest amount as Bihu gift to the poor and needy as a token of my love and concern for them."
In the budget speech, he neither mentioned the amount nor said how much would be the total outgo from the state exchequer for this plan.
However, while talking to the media after presenting the Budget, Gogoi said: "We are going to give at least Rs 200 cash to each below poverty line families. This is a special gift and will not be given in every year."
"We have not decided if the amount will be per head or per family. If the family is big, we can give more amount also. We will give the amount to the adults of a family."
"The people have chosen me as the longest serving Chief Minister of the state. They have elected me thrice. So, I want to give them a gift during the Bihu," Gogoi, who is also the state Finance Minister said.
Asked how can the government distribute cash just before the elections, he said: "Then I will give it before (the election)."
Gogoi further said Assam will not be the first state to distribute cash as "Tamil Nadu has given it earlier".
