CM proposes ₹34,899.46 cr budget for FY24-25
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, July 31 2024: On the first day of the 6th Session of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, leader of the House and chief minister (in charge of Finance) N Biren Singh presented the Annual State Budget estimate 2024-25 in the House.

The new budget also reflects state's total receipts for 2024-25 at Rs 34,815 crore, revenue receipts of Rs 27,716 crore and capital receipts of Rs 7,099 crore.

The state s own tax and non-tax receipts are estimated at Rs 2,470 crore and Rs 300 crore respectively.

The proposed total gross expenditure from the Consolidated Fund is Rs 34,899 crore, with revenue expenditure pegged at Rs 20,628 crore and a capital outlay at Rs 8,616 crore, while subtracting the recovery amount of Rs 6,319.5 crore.

The fiscal deficit is estimated at Rs (-) 1,526 crore, which is 3 per cent of the GSDP.

The total outstanding debt as a percentage of GSDP is projected at 35 per cent.

The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for 2024-25 is estimated at Rs 49,937 crore.

Presenting "Demands for Excess Grants" for the financial year 2018-19, CM (in charge of Finance) Biren informed that the total Demand for Grants is Rs 35,531.21 crore, of which Rs 28,688.70 crore is voted and the charged amount is Rs 6,844.51 crore, with an excess expenditure of Rs 1729.49 crore occurred under one Appropriation.

He said that the excess expenditure was due to re-payment of ways and means advances.

He further said that the excess amounts over the charged appropriation need regularisation as recommended by the Public Accounts Committee.

The PAC has made valuable recommendations for the improvement of the budgeting system and for enforcing stricter financial discipline.

Presenting the budget, CM Biren emphasised the significance of agriculture to the state's economy, while acknowledging challenges faced by farmers due to recent unrest and natural disasters.

He maintained that compensation has been paid to many affected farmers, with more to follow.

Efforts are underway to ensure all cultivable land is accessible to farmers, he assured and further highlighted increased support from Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and announced a substantial allocation of Rs 883 crore in the budget for agriculture and allied sectors, including fisheries, horticulture, animal husbandry, and organic crops, including complimentary package, scheme for complimentary nutrition and personal hygiene among others.

The CM continued that the government has its firm stand for unwavering support for sports.

Key initiatives include the 'Sportspersons Livelihood Guarantee Scheme', with Rs 4 crore budget, to assist retired athletes without livelihoods.

Funds have been allocated for quality coaching, including hiring foreign coaches, and support for indigenous arts, games, and football clubs.

Plans are in progress for the Manipur Football Academy and new football fields with natural grass.

Upgrading sports infrastructure is a priority, with two projects under NESIDS, including Rs 40 crore Multipurpose Indoor Stadium and a 'Digital Infrastructure of Sports Excellence' project.

An allocation of Rs 98 crore has been made for sports development, excluding additional infrastructure support from various schemes, he supplemented.

Highlighting the achievements of the present government, Biren stated that in the field of education, basic infrastructure like electricity, water and sanitation have been strengthened.

Around 84 schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission have been completed, with 90 per cent of the on-going 1273 schemes realised.

Under AMRUT 1.0, 38,000 smart water meters have been installed in 86 per cent of areas under IMC.

Additionally, Manipur ranks first in the country with regard to pre-paid power meter installations.

Of the 5.21 lakh electricity consumers in the state, 4.02 lakh are pre-paid consumers.

In the education section, 51 per cent of schools now have electricity.

Solar panels have been provided to all 240 targeted secondary and senior Secondary schools, as well as to 367 out of 434 targeted elementary schools.

Potable drinking water has been provided to all government schools and 75 per cent of schools have separate functional toilets separately for both boys and girls.

Meanwhile, around 5848 start-ups and entrepreneurs have been provided financial support under the Manipur Start-Up Scheme, with Rs 128 crore invested, he informed.

In the health sector, the state has been making good efforts, said the CM, emphasising that Manipur is steadily moving towards achieving the target goal of SDG 3 - Good health and well-being.

As per the NITI Aayog SDG India Index 2023 24, the score of Manipur has improved from rank 75 to 68 and is at second position after Tripura among the NE States.

He added that Ayushman cards have been issued to 6,02,268 beneficiaries which is coverage of 45 per cent and the remaining 4,81,445 will be saturated by December 31, 2024, under PM Jan Arogya Yojana.

Stating that maintenance of law and order is prime focus of the government, Biren informed that police equipment, and vehicle and arm-ammunition are being upgraded, with an expenditure of Rs 80 crore made in past one year in purchasing the same for state police.

Around 40 bullet proof light motor vehicles are helping police in maintaining and strengthening the law and order in the state while adding that heavy armoured vehicles are helping police in assessing and securing vulnerable areas.

Stressing that the environmental conservation and protection is impossible without the support of the people no matter how many schemes or projects are taken up for the same, he appealed to all concerned to extend their support.

The CM also said that funds have been utilised for preservation and development of Loktak Lake over the past few years, while informing that the centre had approved and sanctioned Rs 145 crore this year for the Integrated Management Plan of Loktak Lake.

The CM then expressed concern over the recent natural disaster that occurred in the state.

For management of effects of these disasters and provision of relief, including Rs 10,000 per household affected by.

floods, about Rs 60 crore has been sanctioned from SDRF, and an additional Rs 20 crore recently approved.

A proposal for compensation for damages caused by hailstorm has been submitted to the central government, following a recent inspection by the central team, he conveyed.

Informing that the central government had allocated Rs 500 crore as revenue assistance in view of the difficulties faced by the state in one year, he said that the centre had provided financial assistance with regard to funds and expenditures for other externally aided projects.

The central government had approved a one-time special assistance of Rs 1010.75 crore as relief package for construction of relief camps for displaced persons, in addition to Rs 145.18 crore for construction of 3000 temporary shelters.

Further informing that a scheme to construct 5000 houses for displaced persons at an estimated cost of Rs 375 crore had been introduced under the Permanent Housing Scheme, the CM conveyed that further relief and rehabilitation funds will be released.

Apart from this, Rs 5 crore has been allocated for crimes against women and other funds allocated to MASLSA to provide immediate financial aid to victims under NALSA's Scheme for Compensation to Victims of Crimes against Women.

Appreciating the support of the people during the difficult times in the state, Biren said that steps have been taken up to evolve the various suggestions made by the people, while expressing his sorrow over the sufferings the people have suffered due to misunderstanding between communities.

The unstable situation heavily impacted the state's economy with regard to revenue collection, increase expenditure in security and relief operations, inflation and issues with movement of goods and services, execution of projects and schemes.

However, with the state is slowly recovering to stability with tax collection picking up gradually.

Additionally, funds are being utilised to bring about peace and order, assist the displaced persons and provide alternative livelihoods, and improved the infrastructure.

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