The State Government presented the 1st supplementary Budget of the financial year 2016-17 during the Monsoon Session on Monday. The Budget which is slated to be discussed for two days before being passed with voice vote by the House is of Rs4,382.49 crore.
Tabling the mid-term Budget in the House, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Saryu Roy though could not say anything about it due to din from the Opposition, but clarified about the urgency behind bringing it after the Budget Session ended in April.
“The State has received Rs4,125 crore from the Centre under different heads for developmental purposes. Nearly Rs1,300 crore is meant for rural roads, Rs800 crore under disaster management along with allocations for power and even flyovers for our cities. Most of the money is centrally aided but in some cases the State also has to make contribution which is roughly Rs300
crore. That is why the Government was needed to bring this supplementary Budget,” said Roy outside talking to media persons.
The Minister also justified the exercise while tendering expenditure figures this year in comparison of previous year data. He said that till June in 2016, nearly 18.73 per cent of the total budget allocated had been spent. “This is a very satisfying performance when we compare it with 7.5 per cent in 2015, 3.25 in 2014 and 5.5 per cent in 2013 till the month of June,” added Roy.
When asked about the obstruction being presented by the Opposition in the House, which has also caused suspicion over any fruitful debate on the important legislative exercise, the Minister put the onus on the non-ruling parties.
“As discussed and approved by the Business Advisory Committee, we have kept two days for debating the supplementary Budget. We have played our role but, what I feel, the Opposition is fleeing from debate. They should criticise our policies and enforce corrective measures but they are not intending to do so. This is nothing but escapist attitude altogether,” said the Minister. The Budget is slated to be discussed on Tuesday and Wednesday before being passed.
The Opposition is protesting over reported ‘sting operation’ relating to the Rajya Sabha poll and alleged racial comment made against leader of Opposition Hemant Soren by ADG Anurag Gupta in his conversation with Congress leader Yogender Sao.