Researcher wants emphasis on revenue generating sectors
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 26 2023: Social researcher Serto Tondana Kom has expressed desire for the Government to lay more emphasis on sectors which can help the State generate revenue while preparing the budget.

He nonetheless said that the Budget 2023-24 prepared by the State Govern- ment was a good and big budget for a small State like Manipur.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, the social researcher continued that the Budget 2023-24 of Manipur is one of the best budgets in North East India, next only to Assam.

Saying that the State Government has been giving topmost priority to community and rural development since the last 6/7 years and the same was reflected in the recent Budget too, Serto Tondana Kom continued that a considerable portion of the total budget of 2023-24 focuses on community and rural development again.

Serto Tondana Kom went on to state that 16.29 per cent of the total budget estimate of Rs 35,27,37,914 has been earmarked for the community and rural develop- ment sector.

He then asked why the State Government is giving topmost priority to community and rural development alone and giving less share to other departments.

The social researcher then appealed to the Government to give some priority to agriculture, horticulture and soil conservation sectors too while preparing the budget.

Stating that providing better road connectivity is a must, he asked how much development has the State brought in the rural areas.

He went on to ask what initiative has the State taken up to generate more revenues for the State.

He also asked if the land, forest, sale and other taxes collected by the State reached the departments.

The social researcher went on to claim that the budget allocations for Tourism, Art and Culture, and Sports were low.

He appealed to the State Government to consider making some changes in the budget and increase the share of some departments.

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