Monsoon Budget leaks

Free Thinker *

Calling Budget Session during monsoon may sound funny but this is an exigency after the general election. Both the State and Centre need money amidst monsoon downpour. Unprecedented heavy rains may cause damage to the roofs of both Assembly and Parliament. It is trivial if someone tries to politicize rain drops from the ceilings.

There are crucial issues to be sorted out between the State and Central leaders. Immediately after the budget session most of our State leaders will rush to the Capital to meet the big guns. But the problem is, as soon as the Parliament Session is over the Central leaders rush out of Delhi – on official tours or private visits. Few leaders might fly away to foreign countries on duty, of course with the permission of the Big Boss.

Right now both Manipur State Assembly and Parliament are having a budget session. Parliament is running the budget session since 22 of July and it will continue till 12 August, 2024. Manipur budget session started on 31 July and it will wind up on 12 August, 2024. We don’t know whether it is a coincidence or strategic planning. Manipur Assembly session concludes on the same day as Parliament session ends.

Nirmala ji’s budget 2024-25 envisaged a total receipts other than borrowings and the total expenditure are estimated at Rs 32.07 lac crore and 48.21 lac crore respectively. The net tax receipts are estimated at 25.83 lac crore and the fiscal deficit is estimated at4.9 percent of GDP.

Free ration fund has increased many fold – Government’s popularity among the lowest category of voters may be attributed to the free ration that the Union government distributes to a huge section of the poverty stricken people throughout the country. Middle class is perhaps unhappy because they are not getting any sizable benefit or relief.

Biren ji’s is proposing a total gross expenditure of Rs 34,899 crore out of the consolidated fund of the State. I really don’t know whether we have a consolidated fund. The total revenue expenditure is estimated at Rs 20,628 crore , and capital outlay is estimated at Rs 8,616 crore.

Total receipts are estimated at Rs 34,815 crore, with revenue receipts estimated at Rs 27,716 crore and capital receipts at Rs 7,099 crore. The total estimates of the state’s own tax and non-tax receipts are Rs 2,470 crore and 300 crore, respectively. Again, I am not very sure about these non-tax receipts -i.e., income from interests, dividends, profits, fines, fees, commissions etc.

This State Budget seems normal but some critical economists like Leikai Pabung says only the contractors dealing with the IDP will get maximum benefits. The budgetary allocation is just like father’s salary – anybody in the family can use the fund according to his/her influence and capacity to manipulate . So, don’t go by the figures and allocations- there are many ways and means to divert, extract or extort.

I am fundamentally weak in money matters. Many of the terms and jargons used in the budget are Greek and Latin to me . Just to prove that I also know something about the budget, I simply do this blah blah blah – may be utterly nonsensical. Never mind, money is still important so the level of borrowing, begging and bribery tends to rise when the socio-economic condition of the state remains unstable.

Now the people are crazy to get into the government service ; they want to spend as much as they have to own a government employment; because this is the only job which secures a monthly income. The traders, hawkers, hookers, daily wage earners, small time shopkeepers - all are suffering because their businesses are down and almost out. In fact the private sector economy of the State has gone down the drain in the last 15 months or so.

Attendance in Parliament is almost 100 percent even if it rains inside or outside – that is the level of commitment of our parliamentarians. The lady Members are taking active part in all the discussions and deliberations in both the Houses of Parliament.

Though their numbers are less they have become more visible with forceful speeches, colorful bags and umbrellas. This is a very good sign. Women’s active participation in the democratic process of the country is quite encouraging. When the ‘33 percent reservation’ is implemented we will see more women in Parliament.

Under Article 101 and 190 of the Constitution a law maker in Parliament or State Assembly can’t remain absent from the House meetings/sittings for 60 days without proper and reasonable reasons. If for a period of sixty days a Member is absent without permission of the ‘House’, the ‘House’ may declare his/her seat vacant.

MLAs’ attendance in Manipur Assembly is quite appreciable, 49/50 out of 60. We have four women MLAs, one is a minister. Their attendance is also noteworthy except for the – minister – that is understandable. But our women MLAs speak less in the House.

Perhaps they believe in action rather than speaking. Action is louder than speech. But they must participate in the debates and deliberations of the House. That will certainly make our democracy more profound and fulfilling.

Sitharaman ji , this time the ‘halwa’ is more for the proletariat, needy Nitish & Naidu. I don’t mind as long as my State gets regular sympathetic aids.