Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government has begun the preparatory work for the State Budget 2017-18, with all departments directed to prepare their respective budget proposals for the year. Keeping in mind the austerity measures to be put in place from the coming financial year, this is not going to be an easy task.
With counting of votes polled for the Assembly polls scheduled on March 11, the new government will have barley ten days in hand to focus on the Budget preparation and presentation as it has to be tabled before March 31.
“The Budget is also an accounting exercise. The preparatory work for it has been started by all departments. Once a new government is sworn in, their priorities would be reflected in the Budget,” Amey Abhyankar, Special Secretary (Budget), told media persons.
He, however, refused to disclose details saying, ‘Once the new Chief Minister is sworn in, we will know the focus areas.”
“The administrative and preparatory steps which are required for drafting of the budget are being taken right now,” he said adding that all the Heads of Department have been asked to submit their accounts to the Finance Department. HoDs, when contacted, have confirmed receiving these directions.
The departments’ proposal is mainly based on assumptions regarding revenue changes, different levels of expenditures, new schemes and development projects.
The State Finance Department, through an order in November 2016, had directed all departments to keep expenditures down for next five years for effective implementation of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations. It had asked departments to rationalise expenditure on various components including social welfare schemes and unwarranted development works from 2017-18.
