Budget thrust is on development: Joykumar

IMPHAL | July

In the evening session of the second day of the ongoing budget session, the House unanimously passed Rs. 1035,05,43,250 for different departmental expenditures to be incurred during August, 2017.

Questions and observations raised by the opposition members in connection with the general discussion on budget estimate 2017-18, the finance minister clarified that the reason for small budget is due to inability of submission of utilization certificates (UC) by some departments and conversion of ACC Bills to DCC Bills.

He stated that with the implementation of GST and proper management of financial resources, there will be surplus revenue and also further stressed on the major thrust areas of the budget.

DBT is one of the major thrust areas for prevention of misappropriation of benefits, proper and timely delivery system of fund allocations and also stated that to take grants from the Centre is easy but proper utilization of the grants is difficult.

He maintained that the present budget is clear and ambitious since it is meant for the developmental projects in the state.

Participating in the discussion, the chief minister N. Biren Singh said that to prepare a budget is not an easy task as it needs collection of data and information from each government department and different financial resources.

The government does not have any partiality in distribution of aids, relief materials and welfare schemes to the public. All the aids for flood affected people are being entrusted to the concerned DCs particularly to avoid political biasness.

The main purpose is to serve the people and to regain the lost trust between different communities, the government is action oriented and stood for corruption free government and lastly appealed to the House for keeping confidence in his government.

Finance minister Y. Joykumar Singh moved the Manipur Appropriation (No. 3) Bill 2017 and the House passed it.