Compared to the previous year, there has been a considerable increase in planned expenditure and revenue receipts in the State.
According to information provided by the finance department, Rs 5709 crore has been spent so far this year whereas during the corresponding period in the previous year the expenditure was Rs 4590 crore. About Rs 1000 crore has been spent on externally funded projects so far this year whereas Rs 600 crore had been spent on such projects during the corresponding period last year.
There has also been an increase in revenue income from its important sources compared to the previous year. The revenue received so far this year is Rs 6,300 crore whereas it was Rs 5,700 crore during the corresponding period in the previous year. These details were presented in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Harish Rawat to review the budget utilisation in various departments at the secretariat here on Monday.
The CM said that though there has been an increase in the expenditure and revenue generation compared to the previous year, more focus needs to be accorded to this. There is need for speed and more work efficiency considering that only three months are left before the end of the financial year.
Only Rs 1755 crore has been received by the State so far this year for centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) compared to Rs 1955 crore last year. Rawat directed the chief secretary to review CSS on a fortnightly basis with departments secretaries also being told to maintain constant communication with officials of the central ministries.
He said, “Considerable work has been executed this year on resource mobilisation so it should be ensured that the revenue sources are increased in accordance with State’s developmental requirements and future requirements. The Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation should attempt to ensure disposal of 70 per cent of its stock by January. The power department should bring about a one per cent decrease in line and loss while the excise department should undertake an intensive campaign to stem smuggling of illicit liquor into the State. The water tax act has been passed considering which an amount of Rs 30 crore should be received in water tax by March, whereas the target for next financial year should be set at Rs 300 crore,” said the CM.
Stressing on the need for making urban local bodies financially self reliant, the CM directed the Urban Development secretary to hold meeting with heads of the local bodies to draft an action plan for increasing revenue resources of the local bodies.State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand ltd (SIIDCUl) Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, Jal Sansthan, Uttarakhand Power Corporation limited and Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam limited should work with a commercial approach.
SIIDCUl should study the possibility of developing an industrial area near Khanpur, said Rawat. Stating that economic growth is dependent on social growth, the CM said that special focus should be accorded to social schemes showing positive results.