Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh, who is also the Minister in Charge of Finance, tabled the full budget estimates for 2023–24 in the house, Wednesday.
This sitting is the second part of the 3rd session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which was adjourned on February 3, 2023.
Prior to the Chief Minister’s presentation of Budget 2023–24, the House debated Questions and Answers. During the question hour, MLAs K. Ranjit Singh, Surjakumar Okram, Ngursanglur Sanate, and K. Meghachandra Singh raised questions on the floor of the House.
The Leader of the House, N. Biren Singh, replying to a question raised by MLA Surjakumar Okram, informed that the present payment pending for pensioners is Rs. 439 crore. He also said the dues will be cleared by March 2023 for gratuity and ROP by June 2023. He also stated that there are no plans to reinstate the old pension scheme for state government employees.
He maintained that the number of pensioners who have not received their first payment of commutation and gratuity is approximately 1121. These are mainly those who have retired in 2021 and 2022. However, almost all pensioners have received their monthly pension, GPF, and leave encashment. There are presently 807 pensioners drawing provisional pensions or not opting for commutation. He added that provisional pension cases are mostly the result of court cases, ongoing departmental inquiries, and cases.
Replying to MLA K. Ranjit Singh, N. Biren Singh informed that about Rs 6.33 crore of revenue can be collected in a year as revenue tax under the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reform Act, 1960. The computerization of land records will be completed soon. The government will be implementing online payment of land taxes also, he added.
Responding to a question raised by MLA K. Ranjit Singh, Forest Minister Th. Biswajit Singh informed that a total of 209.13 lakh seedlings have been planted from 2018-19 to 2021–22.
Answering a question raised by MLA Ngursanglur Sanate, Agriculture Minister Th. Biswajit Singh informed that an MoU has been signed with Godrej Agrovet Ltd. in connection with the plantation of edible oil and oil palm and for a viable gap payment mechanism. He also stated that 1200 hectares have been included in the 2nd phase and also surveyed by the State Level Standing Committee, Oil Palm Manipur, at Nungsheipunji village of Pherzawl district.
The following are the results of a survey conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. During the budget presentation, Biren, who is also in charge of finance, informed the audience that total expenditure in the budget estimate for 2022–23 was estimated at Rs. 34930 crore. The total expenditure during RE 2022–23 has been revised to Rs. 35882 crore.
Revenue receipts and capital receipts were estimated at Rs. 24448 crore and Rs. 9252 crore, respectively, in the budget estimates for 2022–23. In RE 2022–23, this has been revised to Rs. 25601 crore and Rs. 9836 crore, respectively. All overall receipts and expenditure figures are inclusive of ways and means of advances and repayments.
Taking into account all receipts and expenditures, the current year is expected to have a budgetary deficit of Rs. 445 crore in RE 2022–23 as against the deficit of Rs. 1230 crore in BE 2022–23. The fiscal deficit for 2022–23 (RE) is projected at Rs. 2550 crore, which is 6.8 percent of GSDP.
The total receipts are estimated at Rs. 34,131 crore. The revenue receipts are estimated at Rs. 27547 crores and the capital receipts at Rs. 6584 crores. Total estimates of the state’s own tax and non-tax receipts are Rs. 3200 crore and Rs. 400 crore, respectively.
He also stated that for the years 2023–24, a total expenditure of Rs. 350,22.2 crore has been earmarked for the Consolidated Fund of the State. The total revenue expenditure is estimated at Rs. 20292 crore. The capital outlay is estimated to be Rs. 10013 crore. The budget deficit is estimated at Rs. 891 crore, which is a reduction from last year’s budget deficit of Rs. 1230 crore. The fiscal deficit is estimated at Rs. 2760 crore. This is 6.1 % of the GSDP. The total outstanding debt as a percentage of GSDP is expected to be 39.935.50 percent in 2023–24. He maintained that the gross state product (GSDP) for 2023–24 is estimated to be Rs. 45145 crore.
The Leader of the House also presented the Fourth Report of the Business Advisory Committee, 2023 and the Supplementary Demands for Grants, (2022–2033).
