Imphal, March 31: The financial year 2005-06 drew to a close today midnight on a high note with 95 percent of the Budget allocation released for utilisation.

Talking to The Sangai Express a well placed source from the State Finance Department said that the budgeted amount for the fiscal 2005-06 was Rs 3141.02 crores including the Annual Plan amount of Rs 992.59 crs, Rs 240.14 by way of Central Sponsored Scheme and others and Rs 1908 crores as Non Plan.

Though the amount released under the Non Plan may a little low, 95 percent of the Plan amount was released in the last fiscal, making it one of the highest in recent years, said the source.

The figure of 95 pc was achieved following the strict instructions of Chief Minister O Ibobi who also holds the Finance portfolio to utilise the Plan amount on time in phased manner.

In December last year the utilisation figure stood at 67 percent and a 100 percent utilisation target was set by March this year, said the source.

This was strictly conveyed to the Planning Department and Finance Department by the Chief Minister, added the source.

To achieve the set target, though the Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba was a holiday yesterday, the Treasury office, sub-treasury offices, State Finance Department and top ranking Government officials attended office to work out the finer details, informed the source.

Moreover the State Bank of India functioned till 9 pm yesterday so that bills issued by the Treasury could be passed on March 31, the closing day of the financial year.

The last fiscal was a major departure from previous years, said the source and explained that unlike the past few years, the Plan money was satisfactorily released on time and utilised.

The RBI also did not ban any Govt transactions in the last fiscal which was a marked improvement from the preceding years, said the source.

The source further said that following the opening of transactions from March 25 till March 30, the State exchequer has run into another round of over draft.

However since the amount to be received by the State Government for the 2006-07 fiscal will be credited to the State account from April 1, the RBI is not likely to impose any ban on Government transactions.

On the other hand, the Manipur Appropriation (No.2) Bill 2006 which was recently passed by the Assembly has been approved by the Governor and has become an Act, said the source and added that it will be enforced from tomorrow.

The budgeted amount for the 2006-07 fiscal is Rs 3362.92 crores and out of this the Plan amount is Rs 1160 crores while CSS and others account for Rs 131.70 crores.

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