PANAJI
Following detailed deliberations and specific instructions on the preparation of the state budget to be presented on February 22, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has said most ministers in his cabinet have shown keen interest in formulating a detailed plan for their respective portfolios.
“As of now, 36 percent of the budget work has been completed and 35-40 per cent of the work is in the pipeline,” said Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar while speaking to The Goan.
In the first phase, Parrikar said he had convened meetings with Revenue and IT Minister Rohan Khaute
and Housing Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar.
“Both ministers prepared their detailed reports on the budget and these were discussed in detail,” said Parrikar.
He informed that a preliminary meeting with TCP and Agriculture Minister Vijay Sardessai had taken place.
“These meetings have not been scheduled, but conducted as per the availability of ministers and officers concerned. This exercise will continue with all other ministers and those MLAs who head corporations,” said Parrikar.
Explaining that preparing a budget is a lengthy process, Parrikar said a detailed review of financial management along with all schemes and development works have to be carried out.
“At the beginning, I have asked them to prepare a report on the spending of the previous budget. If not, the reasons behind it and how it can be made more effective,” said Parrikar.
“There may be certain schemes which are outdated. Such schemes have to be withdrawn and more comprehensive ones need to be introduced to reach these to the target groups.”
“Provisions in the budget have to be fully utilized. This utilization percentage should at least reach 90 percent so that the expected results are seen,” the CM said.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said he also has keen interest in reviewing all centrally sponsored schemes. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced several schemes for the common people and I am eager to see the State government fully utilising these schemes for the beneficiaries,” said Parrikar.
“There are also different schemes for rural infrastructure. The Swachh Bharat and construction of toilets are also a few of these, which we have planned to fully implement,” he added.
