The Centre for Socio- Economic and Parliamentary Studies has given a memorandum to the Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore stating suggestions for the upcoming budget. Before preparing the budget, the Centre has taken up several issues such as determination of plans, lack of ownership in plans and programs, tribal economy, resource augmentation and has apprised the Finance Minister of its suggestions in this direction.
Quoting the saying 'Growth Matters', the Institute said that if there is continuous flow meaning a gradual growth in GSDP, then it is considered as an ideal situation of financial administration. The memorandum suggested that the government should pay attention to this and also that if it formulates 'time-bound implementation' and 'responsibility' for the plans and programs related to financial responsibility, then growth in Jharkhand will be ensured rapidly.
It has warned that often developed states collect relatively more assistance, grants in aid, loan assistance from the central government, financial institutions and banks in the light of new schemes and programs and weaker states are left behind. In such a situation, Jharkhand should put forward schemes and programmes for public welfare keeping in mind agriculture, irrigation, construction, welfare, migration, environment and tribal interest to name a few.
Apart from this, in terms of internal financial management, it has been warned that usually a large amount is kept in PL account and its allocation is not time- limited. In such a situation, the interest received from it is misappropriated because there is no financial provision related to this. The general budget should be prepared on the basis of the basic challenges, needs, possibilities and integrated development of the state. Before preparing the budget, the institution has advised to do a thorough review of the pending schemes or programmes to decide the priority of the schemes and allocate the unutilized amount available at the end of the year.
It also states that similarly, caution should be exercised in the acquisition and allocation of earmarked funds for central and centrally sponsored schemes and programmes. The State government should follow the policy of continuous contact and participation for resources from financial institutions. Timely determination of the achievement of targets of short- term and long- term schemes should be done. Without keeping a close watch on advance withdrawals at the end of the year, it becomes difficult to work on schemes in the next financial year. Under no circumstances, surrender, deposit in PL account and item change should be encouraged.
The organisation believes that lack of foresight is seen in schemes and programs or other works involving financial economic responsibility. This is not a review for growth.
The study center has said that the tribal population including primitive tribes in Jharkhand is 26 percent, but in most parameters of development including construction, health, entrepreneurship, agriculture, trade, such a large population is comparatively behind not only the average national development but also the State. Despite continuous efforts for 24 years, their level of upgradation is not integrated. In such a situation, there is a greater need for a plan and budget structure with the aim of enriching the 'tribal economy'.
For this, ground level programs with the cooperation of the Central Government and financial institutions should be incorporated in the budget in consultation with all social, economic stakeholders. The successful implementation of the tribal sub-plan should be in this context. Tribal Upyog should be made more rational and it should be earmarked for tribal development only.
The organisation has said that outcome based allocation in agriculture, employment, irrigation, self-reliance, health is necessary for integrated development rhythm in the interest of society. It has warned that initiatives for resource augmentation are the first priorities of an 'Excellent Budget'. Also, measures for revenue enhancement without any pressure, greed or unnecessary punitive process are considered examples of better financial management.
The State government should keep a close watch on the utility of this expenditure. It has demanded that the government should increase the education, health, employment, self-employment, MSME, enterprise, training items in the budget of 2025-26 in view of the challenges of the State.
Ayodhyanath Mishra, Secretary of the Center for Socio-Economic and Parliamentary Studies, said that the institution gives appropriate suggestions every year in the context of State budget and planning and agriculture and allied services. In this, the emphasis is on resource augmentation, economy in administrative expenditure, outcome of allocation of schemes and programmes, prohibition on tax evasion and approval of maximum number of schemes and programmes from the Central Government.
Consolidated suggestions on the budget have been sent to the Chief Minister, Finance Minister and the Finance Department's Abua Budget related mail, app and website.