It may sound strange but true that the State Government has managed to spend 25 per cent of their plan budget till October 2013, while it was mere 22 per cent till October 2012.
As per official figures, the State Government spent Rs 2150.59 crore out of Rs 8,500 crore of plan budget, while it was Rs 1,831.93 crore out of Rs 8,200 crore of last year plan budget. It means the State is supposed to spend their remaining 75 per cent budget in next less than five months. In a nutshell, the State Government will have to spend around 15 per cent per month in the next remaining months. The State is going to face Panchayat election, so no new work will be finalised by the State in view of the model code of conduct.
Ironically, Government officials have been patting each other by juggling with data that they have increased their budget expenditure compared to last year, but in reality they failed to spend their budget despite the Government's consistent claim that they will give emphasis on budget expenditure. The latest figures were revealed in a Chief Secretary review meeting on budget expenditure at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Although good thing is that the State's financial receipt has increased i.e. Rs 4,162.67 crore till October 31, 2013 while it was mere Rs 3,404.92 till October 2012. It means state has received Rs 758 crore more than last financial year. The State even spent Rs 319 crore more than the last financial year because the State spent Rs 2,150.59 crore till October 2013 while it was mere Rs 1,831.93 crore in corresponding year. Although they have approved Rs 4162.67 crore till October 2013 but it was mere Rs 3404.92 crore till October 2012. It means they approved Rs 757.75 crore more than the last year. Seeing this pathetic figure chief secretary has given a target of Rs 646 crore to spend in the month of November.
He also instructed the Principal Secretary and Secretary to make expenditure in their department as per the target. During meeting, chief secretary expressed disappointment over the State Government department's lackadaisical approach as most of the Centrally-sponsored schemes could not take up because they failed to deposit state government share. Chief Secretary categorically asked the concerned department to make sure payment of the State's share immediately.
later, chief secretary said: "You make sure expenditure worth of Rs 646.5 crore by November and Rs 605.50 crore in December. He also instructed departments head to expedite the execution of their projects so that you meet their
target."
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Education S Raju, Principal Secretary Urban Development MH Khan, Principal Secretary Food, Radha Raturi, Secretary medical education Manisha Panwar, Secretary Rural Development Vinod Fonia, Additional secretary Forest Manoj Chandran and other senior officers.