CM tables budget estimates
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19 2016 : Chief Minister O Ibobi who is also in charge of Finance Department today tabled the budget estimates for 2016-17 .

Whereas the total receipts of fund is estimated at Rs 10499.83 crore, the Chief Minister proposed a total expenditure of Rs 10518.05 crore.

Ibobi claimed that his Government has been able to contain the average fiscal deficit at 3.6 per cent of the Gross Sate Domestic Product (GSDP) during the last five years.

Out of the total 10518.05 expenditure estimates for 2016-17, Rs 5948.26 crore is for Non-Plan and Rs 4569.78 for Plan which includes Rs 2768.83 crore under Central Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and Central Plan Schemes (CPS) .

The non-plan expenditure includes salary expenditure of Rs 2838 crore, Rs 1091.15 crore for payment of pension and Rs 475 crore for payment of interest, among others.

Ibobi stated that the budget estimates of Rs 4569.78 crore under plan also include the Central share for CSS for taking up various developmental activities.

Out of this, Rs 2768.83 crore is Central share for CSS and CPS.

The State Plan will be financed to the extent of 57 per cent by the Central Plan Assistance.

The balance would be met by budgetary borrowings which includes borrowings from public account and net resources available from State's own resources, share in Central taxes and revenue deficit grant from the Centre.

Stating that the State Government has been working relentlessly to provide power supply round the clock, Ibobi informed the House that 3.5 lakh prepaid meters would be installed so that majority of the power consumers are brought under the efficient (bill) collection systems.

Manipur has the lowest infant mortality rate in the country.

"We will continue to accord high priority to this critical sector.

Expansion of JNIMS constitutes an important element of our strategy to strengthen our health infrastructure.

An amount of Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for construction of an Accident Trauma Centre (ATC) at JNIMS in 2015-16 and an amount of Rs 2300 lakh has been earmarked during the ensuing fiscal year for construction of 150 capacity resident doctors' (boys) hostel at JNIMS", Ibobi stated.

He informed that works on construction of district hospitals for Imphal East and West have begun.

For augmentation of road connectivity, an amount of Rs 125.24 crore has been provided towards roads and bridges including other transport infrastructure during 2016-17 .

Some of the important projects that are completed and under construction include Sanjenthong, improvement of road from NH 39 to IGT University at Makhan, expansion of road from Keishampat to Malom, improvement of road from Sugnu to Chakpikarong and restoration of NH-2 (Old 39), Mao-Imphal section.

An amount of Rs 70 crore has been earmarked during 2016-17 for maintenance/development/upgradation of roads in both hill and valley districts.

Tourism and culture are the sectors where the State has immense potential.

An amount of Rs 33.67 crore has been provided for infrastructure development for destination and circuit at different tourist centres, and adequate allocation has been made for providing tourism infrastructure in and around Imphal City.

Adequate allocation has been made for setting up of Cultural University, construction of cultural complex at Palace Compound, and for setting up of the Manipur Film Institute.

Due importance has also been accorded to all round development and reducing regional imbalance between hill and valley.

A number of important projects have been taken up with fund under NLCPR and NEC.

Under NEC, installation of 2�20 MVA, 132 KV sub-station along with associated lines & related works at Thoubal, installation of 2X5 MVA, 33 KV sub-station along with lines & related works at Mayangkhang, Mao and Senapati, improvement of Bishnupur-Nungba road, improvement of Tamenglong -Tamei road, Kangpokpi-Tamei road, Composite Water Supply scheme for Mualnuam and Songtal of Churachandpur district have been taken up.

"With the assistance of Rs 1536.24 crore under NLCPR from the Ministry of DoNER, we have taken up 163 projects of which 110 projects costing Rs 767.35 crore are completed.

Remaining 53 projects are in good progress with the balance of fund amounting to Rs 768.90 crore.

Most of the projects taken up under NLCPR are located in the hill districts", Ibobi continued.

Under Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), a number of micro watershed projects for preservation and conservation of soil, water and vegetation are taken up in all districts of Manipur.

75 model villages covering all districts are being developed.

For the development of border areas in the State during 2015-16, 531 a number of works have been completed in 8 border blocks of Ukhrul, Chandel and Churachandpur under Border Area Development Programme with an allocation of Rs 22 crore.

Priority has been given to development of link roads, suspension bridges, construction of school buildings, community halls, public toilets, solar lighting, water supply, community centres, development of playgrounds, capacity building and skill development.

About Rs 43 crore has been provided for completion of Tribal Areas Inclusive Growth Infrastructure Project in 27 blocks under Phase-II.

"During the ensuing fiscal year, we will continue to give the highest emphasis to infrastructure spending, both social and economic, such as power, roads, irrigation, education, health etc.

Adequate State's share to the extent of Rs 275 crore has been provided in 2016-17 for important Centrally funded flagship programmes.

The total outstanding debt is projected at 39.41 % of the GSDP during 2016-17", concluded the Chief Minister.

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