CM presents Rs 527 crore deficit budget

***Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma presenting the budget on Wednesday on the last day of the budget session.- Pix by WT Lytan***

SHILLONG, MAR 19: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma on Wednesday presented Rs 527 crore deficit budget for 2014-15 in the last day of the Meghalaya assembly budget session.

Sangma also tabled a Rs 2984.67 crore vote on account budget for 2014-15.

Sangma told the assembly, “I am presenting the 2014-15 budget with a fiscal deficit of Rs 527 crore, which is around 2.2 per cent of GSDP, and well within the parameters laid down by the State’s Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act.”

Sangma said, “During 2014-15, the revenue receipts are estimated at Rs 11.128 crore and capital receipts at Rs 692 crore. Excluding borrowings and other liabilities, the total receipts are estimated to be Rs 11, 156 crore.”

Stating that the plan grants from the centre are expected to be Rs 6, 527 crore, Sangma said, “I have estimated the state’s own revenue at Rs 1, 886 crore.” On the expenditure side, he said the total expenditure is estimated at Rs 11, 893 crore, during 2014-15, of which revenue expenditure is estimated at Rs 9,903 crore and capital expenditure at Rs 1,990 crore. Excluding repayment of loans and other liabilities, the estimated total expenditure is Rs 11, 683,” he informed.

Sangma further informed that the estimated plan expenditure including the centrally sponsored schemes, central sectors schemes, NEC and NLCPR for 2014-15 is at Rs 7, 434 crore. The total non-plan expenditure has been estimated at Rs 4, 249 crore. Interest payment during 2014-15 is estimated at Rs 403 crore and pension payment at Rs 400 crore, he added.

Stating that the size of the annual plan 2014-15 is yet to be finalized with the planning commission, Sangma informed that the state government has, therefore, decided to budget a plan size of Rs 4,545 crore which would include Rs 130 crore of assistance under the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) and Rs 125 crore from the North Eastern Council (NEC).

According to Sangma, the 12th Plan outlay for the state is Rs 22,000 crore. He added that with the proposed plan budget of 4, 545 crore, the increase in plan size over the preceding year is Rs 394 crore, which is an increase of 9.5 per cent.

Commenting that taxation department has made substantial contribution to the state exchequer which Rs 631.12 crore collected in 2012-13, Sangma said that the anticipated revenue for the year 2013-14 is Rs 702 crore which the estimated revenue from excise is Rs 159 crore.

“The revenue from Mining and Geology sector is expected to be more than Rs 430 crore. The revenue from registration and stamps during 2013-14 will be around Rs 8.30 crore. Revenue collection by Forest and Transport department is expected at Rs 36 crore and 38 crore respectively,” Sangma added.

On the law and order situation and insurgency in the state, the chief minister said that the government is fully aware of its responsibility and will deal with the challenge with a firm hand.

Given the challenges posed to the internal security, he said that we need to be self sufficient in terms of manpower and resources and dependence on the central security forces needs to be curtailed adding it is with this objective, we have recently decided to raise a full-fledged unit of commando force to be known as “Special Force – 10”, with a total strength of 1,795 personnel.

Pointing out that the power scenario in the state is a major concern of the government, he informed that a plan outlay of Rs 104.15 crore is proposed during the year 2014-15 for the power sector.

While demand for power is above 600 mega watt (MW) and the installed capapcity in the state is 314.7 MW only, he said in order to bridge the gap, the state government has signed memoranda of agreement with NEEPCO for a 90 MW Hydel Project at Mawphu and a 500 MW Thermal project in Garo Hills.

Putting the health aspect as one of the top priority of the government, Sangma said that a plan outlay of Rs 380.5 crore is proposed for the year 2014-15. He informed that the department will continue implementing the Megha Health Insurance Scheme to cater to the medical needs of all citizens of the state.

He said that the government has a proposed Rs 413.60 crore under General Education and Rs 7 crore under Technical Education.

He informed that state has been able to achieve 93 per cent access and significantly reduce the gender gap in literacy to 3.39 per cent against the national average of 16.68 per cent.

Estimated budget for 2014-2015:-

Rural Development – Rs 539.64 crore

Roads and Bridges – Rs 428.90 crore

Education – 413.20 crore

Health & Family Welfare – Rs 380 crore

Water Supply & Sanitation – Rs 309.40 crore

Water Resources – Rs 221.20 crore

Soil and Water Conservation – Rs 263 crore

Agriculture & Horticulture – Rs 128.45 crore (Agri) & Rs 103 crore (Horti)

Urban Development – 169 crore

Social Welfare – Rs 153.2 crore

Power sector – Rs 104.15 crore