Mail News Service
Imphal, July 2 : Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh today presented a budget estimate of Rs 8434.64 cr for 2012-13 in the State Assembly. Mr Ibobi who also holds the Finance portfolio said of the budget estimate Rs 3500 cr is under Plan, Rs 4366.12 under non plan and Rs 568.5 cr under various central government schemes. He said the government will start with a deficit of Rs 600 cr.
The total revenue estimate is about Rs 6158. 63 cr while capital expenditure is estimated at Rs 22376 cr. Salary expenditure is about 52 percent of total non plan expenditure he said. The expenditure for police is Rs 689 cr, for education Rs 548 and health Rs 134 cr. Pension expenditure is projected at Rs 680 cr.
Total receipt for 2012-13 is estimated at Rs 8232.66 cr. The state plan will be financed by centre at about 98 percent, Rs 450 cr is assigned to take up priority projects under special plan assistance.
The Planning Commission has not taken into account the negative opening balance of Rs 600 cr and hence we have to extra cautious he added. To monitor plan expenditures the government has introduced third party monitoring system. Evaluation study on central projects will be done by an independent agency.
This year Rs 80 cr will be sanctioned for tribal areas, Rs 15 cr for barrack construction. For upgradation of roads Rs 120 cr has been assigned.
Outlay for agriculture has been increased to Rs 139 cr. As there is shrinkage of land, erratic rainfall the government has allocated Rs 608 cr for irrigation department and Rs 549 cr has been made under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) he added.
Expenditure on state police and para military forces has doubled during the last two years. Expenditure last year was 21 percent of total non plan expenditure.
To improve power sector Rs 130 cr has been allotted and for social, education, sports, arts and culture Rs 187.73 cr has been approved. Main thrust of the plan would be on reducing the infrastructure deficit and expanding capacity in key sectors.
The state government’s vision for the 12th five year plan is faster, inclusive and sustainable growth.
Home Minister, Gaikhangam said he would pursue the Ministry of External Affairs to open an office in Imphal as people were facing hardship to get passport.
Gaikhangam said six personnel were assigned to take training on pass port related issues as asked by External Affairs ministry. The directive of the ministry to take signature of the applicants at the office itself has caused lots of problems he said. People of the state are compelled to go all the way to Guwahati for passport related matter he said.
Earlier, Dr I Ibohalbi moving a call attention motion on the issue said the Guwahati office caters to the needs of the entire north eastern states and half of the applicants are from Manipur. A counter was opened at the Imphal post office to collect passport applications but it could not serve any purpose as people had to go to Guwahati which wastes lots of money and time he said.
There are lots of cultural, sports, arts, education, official and other activities in Manipur which require immediate opening of a passport office in Manipur , Dr Ibohalbi said.
Chief Minister, O Ibobi also presented the budget estimates for 2012-13, report of the Manipur Public Service Commission and State Vigilance Commission.
During question hour, Dr L Ibohalbi said Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel were used for police and insurgency related works though they were paid just around Rs 3000 a month. Gaikhangam, Home Minister said there are 10,050 VDF personnel in the state.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/expenses-on-security-personnel-doubled-cm-presents-budget-estimate-of-rs-8435-cr-passport-office-demanded/
