news details |
|
|
| Cabinet meet on Mar 2 to discuss proposals | | Govt goes ahead with budget preparations, meeting with PC likely this week | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Feb 28: Even as the J&K government has yet to get an indication as to what would be plan size they will from Centre for next financial year , the Finance Department of the NC led coalition government in the state is working overnight to give final touches to its budgetary proposals for this year .While budget is being presented on March 12, the government has convened cabinet meeting for discussion and approval of the proposals on March 2.
The Finance Minister AR Rather along with his team including Economic Advisor Jalil Khan, Financial Commissioner Sudhanshu Pandey and other senior officers today held a marathon meeting in the Civil Secretariat that continued till late night, sources said adding that the discussions were focused on giving final shape to the document which is still prepared with estimated figures and projected estimates on expenditure on various heads. Since the government has not been able to get to know from the Centre its likely Plan size, the figures mentioned in the budget may be changed in case the meeting with Planning Commission takes place next week.
Sources added that certain projections in the figures and proposals are also tentative given the fact that these are yet to be thoroughly discussed and approved by two major alliance partners in the coalition NC and Congress in the government,. However, since the main partner Congress is also a ruling party at the Union government , the Finance Minister who happens to be NC leader may not face stiff opposition or rejection of any major proposals by the leaders of Congress at the state level.
“The opinion of the alliance partners is must on everything that is mentioned in the proposals…….even though they are our partners, their independent views have to be carried along and respected, which is why it is mandatory to convene cabinet meeting”, said the Finance Minister A R Rather while speaking to Early Times.The presentation of Budget in the state under present circumstances assumes importance when every department and state sector, besides the government employees are eagerly waiting for their demands impregnated with heavy financial implications conceded .
The state government, particularly the Finance Minister has made this commitment only two days back that the government will announce release of arrears and other related demands soon after the adequate funds are made available to it for the purpose.
The presentation of state budget also assumes significance in the wake of the fact that common masses are not too happy about the Union budget which came only two days back, loaded with additional burden of Service Tax and substantial increase in fuel prices. The people in the state are apprehensive of any such burdens in the state budget which may further aggravate their miseries caused on account of spiraling price rise. “I am not in a position to make any commitment as to whether the budget will provide relief or burden to people……..it is a matter of just few days”, said the Finance Minister. While the Finance Minister appreciated the union budget presented by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, terming it as balanced budget, he said it was most difficult task for any Finance Minister to fill the gaps between the income and the expenditure. On one hand people ask for concessions, on the other they are not prepared to contribute to state exchequer. This makes the job of Finance Minister hard, Rather observed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
