Ghadai presents Rs 2799.59cr supplementary budget

The finance minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai today presented the first supplementary demand for grants of Rs 2799.59 crore for 2009-10 in the state assembly. It includes Rs 1230.87 crore outlay in the non-plan sector and Rs 1321.66 crore outlay in the plan sector.

While the outlay for the Central plan is Rs 55.18 crore, the outlay for Centrally Sponsored Plan 9CSP) is proposed at Rs 191.89 crore.

Taking the supplementary demand along with the provisions in the main budget for 2009-10, the total size of the state budget works out to Rs 37,801.04 crore.

The finance minister presented the supplementary demand for grants amid slogan shouting by the opposition Congress members in the house.

Talking to the media after the meeting, Ghadai said, adequate provisions have been made for meeting the commitment of the government for some new schemes announced by the state government apart from the provisions required for payment of salary and pensions.

It makes additional provision of Rs 186.38 crore for Sarva Sikshjya Abhijan (SSA), Rs 169.52 crore for projects implemented under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), Rs 10.63 crore towards the subsidy for the lift irrigation corporation.

Similarly, a provision of Rs 769.04 crore has been made to provide the state’s share in various centrally sponsored plans (CSPs).

While additional provision of Rs 34.12 crore has been made in the home department’s budget for anti-naxal drive, Rs 1 crore has been provided to supply seed at concessional rate to the farmers.

Biju Kandhamal and Biju Gajapati Yojana have been provided Rs 28.5 crore and Rs 14.1 crore has been earmarked for Cuttack-Paradeep road.

Admitting that the stare’s share in the Central taxes is likely to take a hit of about Rs 400 crore, Ghadai said, the situation in the resource mobilisation is looking up and the government is confident of meeting the budget target in revenue mobilisation.

He said, the state government has not yet resorted to withdrawal from the sinking fund available with the government of India. However, the government may go for withdrawal from the fund if required. On the other hand, the government will take measures to expedite the court cases for collection of arrear taxes, Ghadai added.

Finance secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra said, the requirement of funds for the farmers package announced by the chief minister has been taken care of. This includes the provisions made for making seeds available at concessional rate, lift irrigation points among others.