Imphal, July 21 2010: The Manipur Legislative Assembly has approved passage of six demands which included Rs 431,08,60,000 for finance; Rs 74,68,01,000 for Forest and Environment; Rs 12,48,95,000 for State Excise; Rs 2,81,93,000 for Sales Tax/other taxes/duties on commodities and services; Rs 7,84,28,000 for Science and Technology; and an allocation of Rs 3,13,70,000 for Information Technology.

As the demands were placed by the leader of the House Chief Minister O ibobi Singh for deliberation, Opposition MLAs including O Joy Singh, Dr I Ibohalbi, Dr Ng bijoy and RK Anand questioned accountability and credibility of the finance department, accused the Govt of failing to regularly utilise fund allocations, absence of a concrete plan for protection/preservation of forest and environment as well as pointing out that the Science and Technology Department needs overhauling.

Presenting the Cut Motion on the demands, O Joy said budgetary allocations reflect lumpsum provision of a fiscal year and expressed strong desire that the Government do the needful to ensure the provisions are utilised efficiently.

While contending that the SPF Government had been failing to utilise funds in time and in a proper manner, he also claimed that capital expenditure provisions of various departments are far from satisfactory in addition to accusing the State Government of procedural lapses in presentation of budget.

He also cited report of the Accountant General to substantiate claim that regarding errors in allocation of major head/minor head.

Giving a detailed account of financial provisions, Joy pointed out that role of the Accountant General is crucial in managing financial matters of the State as the incumbent submits report to the Governor after which same is placed for deliberation in the House.

In case lapses are detected the Public Accounts Committee of Assembly is entrusted to rectify the errors, if any, within six months for necessary remedial measures, he maintained but hastened to add that in some case inspite of the Committee's recommendations no appropriate action is initiated.

Elaborating on procedural lapses the MPP MLA said tender floated by the Science and Technology Department for solar lamp provisions in police stations needs to be withdrawn as the earlier tender has flouted prescribed norms.

Responding to the charges, the Chief Minister who also holds the Finance portfolio pointed that the State exchequer is dependent on collection of electricity tax, land revenue, collection of vehicle taxes by the Transport Department, proceeds from sales deed registration, excise tax, VAT and income from water supply tax.

Moreover, efforts are on to minimise non-plan expenditures of the Government, he added.

clarifying on charges that budget process needs closer scrutiny, O Ibobi said remedial steps are being initiated after errors were highlighted in the Revised Estimate of 2009-10 apart from conceding that the annual fiscal deficit of the State had been on the rise.

Citing increase in the capital expenditure as the chief factor for the rise in annual fiscal amount, he nevertheless asserted that the State had been recording positive Gross State Domestic Product.

stating that computerisation of works related to Treasury offices has plugged loopholes including fraudulent withdrawals, the Chief Minister also affirmed that plans are afoot to provide internet facilities in treasury offices located in remote corners of the State.

While insisting that necessary actions recommended by the Public Accounts Committee are being implemented, he said the Government is committed to reduce outstanding debt of the State from the 2014 fiscal.

On Joy's charge that tender for solar lamp provision to police stations in violation of prescribed norms, the CM clarified that a previous order entrusting the task to the Science and Technology Department has been put on hold and assured the house that the MLA's contention would be investigated.

Joining the discussion, Environment and Forest minister th Debendra claimed increase in coverage of afforestation programmes and referred to report of Forest Survey of India to highlight that Manipur has 300 square kilometres of forest cover.

While highlighting that paucity of fund had been impeding expeditious afforestation activities, the Minister exuded confidence of implementing different programmes related to development of Loktak Lake areas, protection and preservation of the endangered Sangai and other related schemes as the 13th Finance Commission has granted sufficient allocation.

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