Direction-less State Budget discussed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 16 2014:
In order to improve the financial status of the State which is now reeling under shortage of income, resources needs to be increased and more taxes must be collected by identifying taxable items apart from saving arable lands from shrinking, said Chief Minister O Ibobi, who also holds the portfolio of Finance, has stated.
Responding to queries raised by legislators during discussion of the Budget Estimates for the year 2014-15 in the State Assembly session today, the Chief Minister said that in the advent of new agricultural technologies, work load of farmers has decreased but at the same time this has led to unemployment in villages.
He stated that the ongoing budget session is tentative as it has been held before the fixation of State's plan size but fund allotment in different sectors can be adjusted once the plan size is fixed and informed that the government is planning to acquire 300 acres of land in Moreh for setting up of smart city in the border town under funding from the State budget.
Informing that the government is also trying to reach an understanding with SBI and Vijaya Bank to open its branches in hill areas where there are no banks, Ibobi said that the banks have been already asked not to take loans with the State Government as its guarantor.
During the discussion on the Budget Estimates, MLA L Ibomcha pointed out that the budget has focused more on expenditure but less on generating revenue and expressed that professional tax could be collected from people working in different professions so as to generate more revenue.
He also drew attention of the House on the need to enact Water Security Act like Food Security Act to ensure adequate supply of water to people of the State.
Taking part in the discussion, MLA Dr Ibohalbi said that the government has failed to take up necessary developmental measures in the State like supplying of adequate potable water and power which are basic needs of the people.
The MLA also noted that only Chief Secretary and two/three officers were seated in Officers' Gallery and observed that such low attendance of Government officials during the discussion on budget is a matter of concern and worrisome.