The State Government has convened a consultative meeting on January 27 to decide on the contours of the Budget for 2015-16 to be presented in the State Assembly on February 16. Finance Minister Pradip Amat said here on Thursday that a decision has been taken to invite all the parties to the pre-Budget consultative meeting that would be held in two phases, after which the Budget would be given a final shape.
He said his department has asked the Planning and Coordination Department to expedite submission of Budget requirements of variousa departments. A decision in regard to departmental allocations would be taken after reports are received from the Planning and Coordination Department. The Finance Minister further said that while the State is presently hit by an acute financial crisis, lack of adequate financial assistance from the Centre has become a major roadblock in the State’s development. However, this would not affect the size of the State Budget as the State Government is making efforts to generate funds from various sources.