Govt exploring PPP model for resource generation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 25 2022: The State Government has been actively exploring public-private partnership (PPP) model in order to enhance resource generation and ensure efficiency in implementation of development works.

Presenting a speech on the State's budget for the financial year 2022-23 on the opening day of the second session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly today on behalf of Chief Minister N Biren (Finance Minister in-charge), Agriculture Minister Th Biswajit stated that PPP projects combine the best of both public and private sectors to provide services to the public, generate resources and bring efficiency to development and management of such projects.

The Agriculture Minister said that PPP projects would generate resources for the State Government to meet its developmental requirements.

The GSDP for 2022-23 is estimated at Rs 42,301 crore against Rs 37,760 crore of 2021-22, Biswajit informed the House.

The proposed budget which would be tabled before the House in the ongoing session allocates Rs 100 crore to support Start-up ecosystem.

Moreover, the Government has been exploring setting up of a Credit Guarantee Fund Trust with financial institutions of the Government of India to improve credit flow to many start-ups in the State, Biswajit said.

He stated that the Government is setting up a Centre for Invention, Innovation and Incubation Training (CIIIT) on PPP model, with the State Government share being Rs 30 crore and adequate allocation has been provided for this year in the budget.

This centre would become the focal point for start-ups and entrepreneurs to invent and innovate.

Ideas would be nurtured and allowed to incubate by provision of support by various experts at this centre, he claimed.

Informing that the capital outlay on roads and bridges for FY 2022-23 is about Rs 2700 crore, the Agriculture Minister stated that a project for 'improvement of roads within Imphal city with rigid pavement including concrete lined drains' with an estimated cost of Rs 3303 crore has been already proposed as an externally aided project (EAP).

This project was recently posed by the Ministry of Finance to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) .

This project will result in savings to the Government by reducing the need for routine maintenance.

The Government is also planning to expand the same project to all district headquarters in the future, Biswajit continued.

He informed that Imphal-Mandalay flight service would ne launched within the current year under the International Air Connectivity Scheme-UDAN (IACS-UDAN).

For the transport sector, Rs 59 crore has been allocated in the budget, he added.

The Agriculture Minister stated that tender process for the ADB-funded Imphal Ring Road would be starting within the next few months while two other EAPs namely; Lamphelpat Waterbody Rejuvenation Project and Imphal Sewerage Project Phase-II, both with funding from NDB are in advanced stages of tender.

The Government is targeting a capital investment of about Rs 15,000 crore through EAPs in the next four-five years and these projects would not only improve infrastructure in the State but also create opportunities for livelihood and employment, Biswajit said.

Talking on the need to invest in and improve health sector, Biswajit informed that Rs 1480 crore has been allocated for the same sector in the budget.

He said that Rs 660 crore has been allocated for agriculture and allied sectors including Rs four crore for conservation and development of the Manipur Pony.

Saying that the Government had initiated a pilot project to provide alternatives to poppy cultivation to the farmers, the Agriculture Minister announced that Rs 4 crore has been allocated in the budget to expand the pilot project.

He stated that the State Government has been planning to procure 50,000 metric tonnes of local paddy for distribution under NFSA and Rs 84 crore has been incorporated in the budget to implement the initiative.

Biswajit said that Rs 600 crore has been allocated for irrigation in the budget.

The Government of India had sanctioned the 'Flood Management and Border Area Programme' to take up flood management works in 10 river basis of the State while Rs 411 crore has been earmarked for the same project in the budget.

In total, about Rs 700 crore has been allocated in the budget for projects which would enable the State to manage floods more effectively, Biswajit said.

An amount of Rs 36 crore has been earmarked in the budget for procuring arms and ammunition, new vehicles, machinery, clothing etc for Manipur Police, he continued.

Biswajit said that the Government has been planning to construct 34 police outposts in the districts along the international border and six police outposts along Imphal-Jiribam National Highway under the scheme for Capital Investment.

Currently, 72 per cent of the households in the State are provided with tap water and the Government is on track to achieve 100 per cent as early as possible.

For this, an amount of Rs 1715 crore has been allocated in the budget, Biswajit said.

As the 'Development of infrastructure for Shirui Heritage Village and Bakshi Ground at Ukhrul' has been already approved with a cost of Rs 46.54 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), works on this project would be started within the current year, he said.

Biswajit informed that preparatory works have been started for development of a 'Sangai Ethnic Park' near Keibul Lamjao where all communities of the State would be represented.

The Government is also proposing development of a heritage project at Makhel and a State cultural centre at Behiang.

These three projects would become parts of the Sangai Festival Tourism Circuit.

Biswajit said that Rs two crore has been allocated in the budget for construction of a few old age homes.

The Government is also proposing to develop 'Shelter and Livelihood Centres for Widows' in four districts.

These centres would provide shelter, skill development facilities and also work sheds, Biswajit added.

Later, Biswajit presented the budget estimates for 2022-23 on behalf of the Chief Minister (Finance Minister in-charge).

The budget estimates proposes a total expenditure of Rs 34,930 crore out of the consolidated fund of the State.

While the revenue expenditure is estimated at Rs 17,914 crore, capital outlay is estimated at Rs 9,272 crore.

On the other hand, the total receipts are estimated at Rs 33,700 crore including revenue receipts estimated at Rs 24,447 crore and capital receipts estimated at Rs 9,252 crore.

The likely fiscal deficit during the current financial year is estimated at Rs 2,748 crore, according to the budget estimates.

Later, Biswajit tabled vote of accounts 2022-23 and the House passed it.

He also tabled the Demand for Excess Grants 2017-18 .

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