House okays budget estimate
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 29 2015 : After a few rounds of deliberation, the budget estimate for the year 2015-16 has been passed by the State Assembly today.

Opposition Members Dr I Ibohalbi, Samuel Risom, L Ibomcha and Karam Shyam took part in deliberating the budget estimate.

Pointing out that the budget estimate reflects the State dependence on Centre or external agencies for 89 per cent of its annual fund requirements, Dr Ibohalbi highlighted the need to augment the State's own resources.

Even though the Government claimed that the State's growth rate has been rising, 42 per cent of rural people are suffering from poverty.

Though the Government was claiming a growth rate of 7.3 per cent, the actual figure of poor people has been rising.

In the meantime, the State's debt has also been growing and the number of educated unemployed youth has been multiplying.

The State's economy represents a classic case of 'captive economy', Dr Ibohalbi said.

State Assembly

Responding to Dr Ibohalbi's observations, Chief Minister O Ibobi stated that his Government has been working to plug all loopholes, in case there is any, in tax collection.

After Manipur was removed from the list of special category States, the State has started facing financial difficulties.

Now some of the North Eastern States are unable to pay monthly salaries of their employees after all these States were removed from the list of special category States.

Now the State Government is maintaining strict financial discipline in order to avoid such harsh situation, added the Chief Minister.

Plugging all loopholes in tax collection is crucial in order to avert complete breakdown of the State's economy.

The Government has been working hard to streamline tax collection through Transport Department, Power Department and other major resource generating departments.

In spite of the Government's efforts to improve toll tax collection on National Highways by adopting public-private partnership (PPP) model, no private firm has come forward so far.

If any firm is interested in toll tax collection, they would not only collect taxes but they should also share their part in maintaining the highways.

One major concern for the Government is unemployment.

When Dr Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister, the Central Government gave Rs 150 crore for the educated, unemployed youth of Manipur.

The amount was distributed to educated, unemployed youth in the form of loans with Government employees as guarantors but a huge chunk of this amount has not been repaid till date, Ibobi informed the House.

Stating that proper tax collection demands investment on the part of the Government just as pre-paid meters are required for full collection of power bills, Ibobi asserted that efforts are being made to introduce to pre-paid meter system in hill district headquarters too.

In order to address the problem of potable water shortage, drilling tunnels has begun for drawing water from Thoubal Dam.

But construction of a treatment plant would require a huge amount.

Moreover, water pipes now available with the Government are 30/40 years old and they need to be replaced by new ones, Ibobi added.