'Open to criticisms, suggestions, not mockery'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 22 2023:
Claiming that the Budget Estimates 2023-24 tabled in the State Assembly on February 21 is a very realistic one, Chief Minister N Biren has invited criticisms and suggestions so as to make the budget estimates more comprehensive but not mockery.
The Budget Estimates 2023-24 was discussed in the State Assembly today.
Replying to general observations made by Opposition leader Okram Ibobi and other Members regarding the budget estimates, the Chief Minister appealed to all the Members to analyse, criticise and put forward suggestions to make up loopholes, if there are any.
But making a mockery and projecting the budget estimates in the wrong light is rather unfortunate, he said.
There is no guarantee that all the points listed in the budget estimates would be translated into action.
At the same time, the Government would implement many welfare programmes which are not mentioned in the budget estimates, Biren said.
The comment that the Budget Estimates 2023-24 is unrealistic and there is nothing people can expect from it is rather disappointing, he decried.
The budget was prepared meticulously in compliance with the rules laid down by the Central Government and after considering the limited resources of the State.
The world is changing fast and it would be impossible to maintain the status quo.
But the mode and pace of change would depend on the ideas, vision and activities of the Government leadership, he said.
The State has been taking loans from several agencies and these are within the permissible limits set by the Central Government, he continued.
These loans are invested in infrastructure development projects which would generate income on their own and ultimately become assets of the State.
Loans are given to the State after observing the State's improved law and order situation and transparency in governance, he claimed.
He maintained that there is nothing to be worried about the loans taken by the State.
The ADC election has been delayed as the delimitation of ADC Constituencies could not be completed by the HAC.
Now the delimitation exercise is nearing completion.
As such, the Government has been working to hold ADC, ULB and Panchayat elections in April, the Chief Minister informed the House.
The Government has been working to release the pending amount of MGNREGS by March, he said.
Apart from PWD, many other agencies like NHIDCL, RD&PR and RIDF etc are involved in developing road infrastructure.
Expenditure sanctions were not granted against some projects/works taken up by PWD because of pending Court cases.
Nonetheless, the Government has started giving expenditure sanctions for fresh projects, Biren said.
Claiming that the Budget Estimates 2023-24 is a very realistic and comprehensive one, the Chief Minister said that the budget may be discussed demand-wise, if any Member has grievances.
Earlier, Opposition leader Okram Ibobi remarked that the budget is highly unrealistic and the people can expect nothing from it.
Even though the budget is of Rs 35,000 crore which seems to be a very big one, it is a deficit budget, Ibobi said.
Whether the budget amount of Rs 35,000 crore is available in the State exchequer or treasury is a big question.
It is also highly questionable whether the budget complied with Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Rules 2005, he said.
Ibobi maintained that people would see the outcome of the budget in the next 12 months.
The budget which has a deficit of Rs 800 crore to 890 crore has seen slight improvement from the previous deficit of Rs 1230.27 crore, Ibobi remarked.
However, the Outstanding Fiscal Liabilities have risen from Rs 9000 crore in 2016-17 to around Rs 18,000 crore, he added.
The Budget Estimates 2023-24 focuses on gaining cheap propaganda, popularity and publicity, Ibobi said.
Pointing out that the budget highlights College Fagathansi Mission, the former Chief Minister asked whether development of all Government schools has been completed.