Meghachandra calls budget bonsai, regressive
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 01 2024: Opposition member K Meghachandra has called the Budget Estimate 2024-25 tabled by chief minister N Biren as a 'Bonsai Budget', stating that it underscores backward motion of the government.

He made the remark at the general discussion on the budget estimate on the second day of the ongoing state assembly session on Thursday.

He said that an advancing state should show increasing budget with each passing year.

Unfortunately, this year's budget is less than last year's budget and it shows that there is no developmental progress.

It also shows that the government cannot take up welfare projects for the people and the government's backward motion.

He criticised the government of not taking seriously its responsibilities and accountabilities.

Calling the budget a Bonsai budget, he stressed the need for replanting the bonsai from the pot to an open space to let it grow.

He said that this year's budget of Rs 34,815 crore is Rs 200 crore less than last year's budget of Rs 35,221.Nobody would be happy to see the smaller budget amid the current crisis the state is facing.

The government needs to enhance the budget by seeking financial assistance from the Centre.

At the same time, one cannot understand the development roadmap of the government in the absence of Economic Survey.

Despite the reduced budget, there is no changes in taxation, pointed out the Congress MLA while calling the sustained tax rate coupled with high inflation as an act of 'tax terrorism'.

The budget also simply mentions of getting funds for schemes included in the Union budget but does not show the actual figure, he added.

Opposition member K Ranjit highlighted the grievances of local contractors, after the government awarded projects to private companies from outside the state leaving them high and dry, as reported in local media.

These private companies from outside the state are bringing in simple raw materials like nails from outside the state severely affecting the economy of the state.

Business dealing in cement, iron bars and other construction materials in the state are also affected by the current system.

He also said that contractors in the state are not sub-standard as the state had seen many quality works, in the past.

Ruling member Sheikh Noorul Hassan highlighted the impact of the 15-month long crisis to the state and its people.

He drew attention of the House on the extortion activities affecting the people.

He further highlighted the system of ignoring local MLAs in selecting representatives of various activities for the assembly constituencies stating that this trend affects the credibility of the MLAs.

He also drew attention of the House to ensure distribution of NFSA rice to the beneficiaries of Kshetrigao AC, who have been deprived of rice allocation for eight months.

Opposition member Th Lokeshwar stressed the need for empowering the state police to restore peace.

They are often discouraged due to lack of order to take up actions on illegal arms.

On the other hand, armed militants from the other side are often laced with drugs like WY tablets making them merciless in taking lives.

He also highlighted the inconveniences faced by the displaced people in relief camps, who have to squeeze through the small space they got.

It affects their modesty and prestige.

Besides, students need separate study rooms, he said and urged the government to pay additional focus on agriculture and education among the sectors with less budget share.

L Surjakumar from the opposition bench said that the budget is a copy-paste one as it lacks signs of proper exercise and evaluation.

This looks same with the budget of past four or five years with some minor changes in the figure.

Preparing a budget close to the ground reality could present a better perspective of the current situation in the state in the eyes of the Centre, he maintained.

The Khangabok MLA also highlighted the impact of the high inflation rate in the state to the people stating that the situation has now forced the public to roadside vending in desperation.

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