Joykumar presents Budget

Deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar who is also in charge of finance minister presented Budget Estimates, 2017-18 on the first day day of the the second session of the Eleventh Manipur Legislative Assembly that began today.

Joykumar said that the government is committed to serve the the people of the state with utmost sincerity to fulfill the aspirations of the people. The government had little time to prepare the revised estimates for 2016-17 and budget estimates for 2017-18. Therefore, only a vote on account for budget estimates, 2017-18 to enable the government to discharge its responsibilities and meet all essential expenditure during the first four months of 2017-18 could be presented, added Joykumar.

He pointed out some of the major initiatives undertaken by the government in the first 100 days. The Manipur Goods & Services Tax Act, 2017 was enacted on June 6 paving the way for implementation of GST. The Manipur GST act has replaced the Value Added Tax Act 2004 and two other Acts in the state.

The finance minister further said that concerning fiscal measures the priority of the government was to exercise fiscal prudence and maintain financial discipline. The state’s own resources comprise about 10% of the total revenue receipts while the rest comes from central funds in the form of grant-in-aid and state’s share in central taxes. As compared to last financial year, the total revenue receipts have shown an estimated increase from Rs. 9950.15 crore to Rs 11096.25 crore.

For the current year the total receipts is estimated at Rs. 12510.61 crore out of which revenue receipts are estimated at Rs 11096.25 crore and capital receipts at Rs. 1414.36 crore. Total estimates of state’s own tax and non-tax receipts in the budget estimates are Rs. 831.86 crore and Rs 245.51 crore respectively. Receipt from State’s share in central taxes and duties is estimated at Rs 4168.45 crore. During this fiscal year, it is proposed to have a total expenditure of Rs 12420.65 crore out of the consolidatedfFund of the State. Our of this, Rs 9952.35 crore is under Revenue account and Rs 2468.30 crore under capital account. Out of the total expenditure, an amount of Rs 961.31 crore is charged expenditure and the remaining amount of Rs 11459.34 crore is voted expenditure.

Governor’s address which has been delivered to the house on March 21 was discussed. Discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s Address was moved by Th. Biswajit Singh, Minister of works/IPR/power/commerce & industries/RD & PR and seconded by MLA Awangbow Newmai. Awangbow said that the Governor address was perfectly suitable. If there is no mutual love and respect, there will be no development and prosperity.

Opposition MLAs Shri Khumukcham Joykisan Singh and Shri Govindas Konthoujam raised their desired of certain amendments to the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address.

Chief minister N. Biren Singh clarified that all the details could not be included in the short address of the governor, however, government has to do all matters pertaining to the core issues being faced by the people. Lok Ayukta Act, 2014 was already in existance during the previous government.

To solve the unemployed youth problem, skills development programme were taken up by the govt. On the issue of ILP, protection of the indigeneous people of the state is the main concerned of the govt. The government will seek opinions of all stake holders in this regard. It has firm stand on  protection of territorial integrity of the state, added the chief minister.

The house observed a one minute silence for the departed souls of those eho lost their lives in recent calamities.

Biren Singh said 19 precious life have been lost, 268 villages have been effected and 20,000 houses were sink or damages due to landslide and flood.  About 97 relief camp were opened in the worst effected areas and medical camp were organised to prevent from dreaded diseases.

Third Report of the Business Advisory Committee, 2017 was also presented by the CM and also moved the motion for allocation of time proposed by the Committee.

Joykumar Singh  moved  the motion for Vote on Accounts, 2017-18 for expenditure amounting to Rs. 1035, 05, 43, 250.

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