Non-plan spend worries Govt

THE STATE Government has managed to increase its share in plan expenditure in the six months of this fiscal but non-plan expenditure continues to be a cause of worry.

THE STATE Government has managed to increase its share in plan expenditure in the six months of this fiscal but non-plan expenditure continues to be a cause of worry.

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Statement on six monthly review of the Trends in Receipts & Expenditures in Relation to the Budget at the end of he first Half of the Financial Year 2006-07”, tabled in the just-concluded assembly session showed considerable improvement in some important fiscal parameters.

During the first six months, the total plan expenditure of the State Government was Rs 3288.47 crore, which is 22.64 per cent higher than the expenditure in the corresponding period last year (Rs 2681.25 crore ) and 31.63 per cent of the budget estimates.

Similarly, Plan Revenue Expenditure stands at Rs 1724.78 crore, which is 26.96 per cent more than the expenditure in the corresponding period last year (Rs 1358 crore).

During the first six months, Plan Capital expenditure was Rs 1467.47 crore, which is 19.02 per cent higher than the expenditure in the corresponding period last year (Rs 1232 crore).

Finance Department officials said the State Government is committed to ensuring that benefits of development reach all parts of the State.With an improved Tax Administration System and control over fiscal deficit, adequate finances are being provided for development in the State,” they said, adding that the State Government is determined to maintain the present rend of growth in plan expenditure.

On this, the Finance Department officials argued that the growth of 5.59 per cent in non-plan expenditure is far below the 22.64 per cent growth registered by the State Government in plan expenditure. However, sincere efforts are being made to further reduce non-plan expenditure, they added.