Supplementary Budget Likely In Nov: Odisha Govt Asks Departments To Focus On Actual Needs

By OB Bureau On Oct 7, 2022

Bhubaneswar: In order to ensure inclusive growth, the Odisha government has directed its departments to focus on actual needs instead of routine proposals for this year’s Supplementary Budget.

Budget Director SP Rath, in a communication to the departments, has pointed out that substantial surrender of funds at the end of the financial year has become a regular affair as the proposals have not been submitted from holistic point of view.

He told them to draw up the proposals that are based on actual need and in commensurate with the actual spending capacity for the Supplementary Budget which is likely to be presented in November. The estimating and controlling officer of the departments concerned may be instructed to ensure this, he added.

He has directed the departments to make realistic assessment of the expenditure relating to livelihood and completion of the ongoing capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects so that economic activities can get the required boost.

“High impact new capital projects, announcements made by the government from time-to-time and proposals for enhancing livelihood activities will be fully funded. If any new scheme is required for provision of emergent public service, execution of infrastructure projects and generation of livelihood opportunities, the same can be taken up,” TNIE quoted Rath as saying in the communication.

However, a Finance department official said proposals involving additional requirements under units, where expenditure till September 30 is less than 40% of budget provision, will not be considered for inclusion under the supplementary statement of expenditure for 2022-23. The departments have been asked to submit proposals to the Planning and Convergence department by October 31.

While the country’s economic growth is expected to be around 7% in financial year 2022-23, the state’s growth is pegged at 8%. The state’s own revenue collection till August has shown a growth of about 16 pc while the total expenditure during the April-August was 24% of the Budget Estimates, 2022-23.