Public opinion is important in drafting a concrete Budget that covers almost every sector, said Minister, Department of Urban Development and Planning, CP Singh during a State level Pre-Budget Consultation Meet organized by life Education and Development Support (lEADS) on Friday.
Singh who attended the programme as the Chief Guest said that the State government is keen to know the shortcomings directly from the public that affects their life.
“The State government will include all viable suggestions received from public through NGOs in drafting out a budget. Chief Minister, Raghubar Das recently conducted meetings at five different places to know the opinion of the people. Attempts are being made to involve more number of people in this,” added the Minister.
Meanwhile, several academicians, civil society members, representatives from different sectors during the meet presented their opinions that need to be enlisted in the upcoming budget. Focusing on some vital loopholes that still exist in the system most of them opined that besides allocating budget for specific programmes under various sub-heads, it’s monitoring its mandatory. Also, according to the experts, system strengthening is another factor where the State government needs to focus.
State Advisor to Commissioner of Supreme Court (Food and Social Security Schemes) Balram said, “Focus must be on implementing the schemes at ground level. ‘Dakiya Yojana’ for Primitive Tribal Group (PTG) is yet to be implemented here. Also, no beneficiaries by far have been identified under ‘Pradhan Mantri Matru Vadana Yojana’ started in the country under National Food Security Act 2013 whereas in southern states, it is working quite well. Social audits too are required to monitor the implementation of social welfare schemes.”
Similarly, State Coordinator, JRPSS (School Education), Sanjay Kumar Singh putting his viewpoints emphasized on increasing the pay scale of para teachers and asked for other facilities like travel allowances for the members of School Management Committee (SMC).
“Minimum Rs 15,000 per month must be given to the para teachers. Provision must be there in the budget for travel allowances for the members of SMCs. Fund must be allocated for sanitation in government schools. At present, Rs 12,000 is allotted for building maintenance which needs to be increased up to Rs 25,000. Also fund for Mid-Day Meal (MDM) need to be more flexible for feeding maximum children at government schools considering the prices of commodities.”
Meanwhile, defining the purpose of Gender Budget that is drafted to empower females, lEADS Budget Consultant, Neha Prasad, said, “The State government need to focus on bringing the data in public domain that contains essential crux of fund allocated for the welfare of women. Unavailability of the documents often creates hurdle in formulating plans. Though separate cell for this has been created but its role is yet to be defined. Proper methodology is required to analysis the budget allotted for females welfare every year.”