with regard to the 6th Pay Commission: State begins preparations for Hooda govt’s last budget

Chandigarh, August 24 Like the current financial year, the state government is likely to hike the annual planned budget for next financial year
The Finance Department of the state has begun preparations for the budget 2009-10, to be presented in March next.

With the Haryana state assembly elections due in 2010, it will be the fifth and the last budget by the present Congress government.

The state has already earned a name for itself for fiscal management in the country. Like the current financial year, the state government is likely to hike the annual planned budget for the next financial year.

During the current financial year, the finance minister had substantially hiked the state annual planned budget to Rs 6,650 crore, while it was a mere Rs 2,000 crore during 2002-03.

The current budget is not just bigger in absolute term, but in terms of ratio to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) as well.

Anticipating the 6th Pay Commission’s recommendations, the government has kept a provision for Rs 1,550 crore for payment towards increased salaries to the employees. Special provision will have to be made for additional funds for the next financial year for payment of arrears to the employees with regard to the 6th Pay Commission.

The state government guidelines for the budget preparations have already been issued by the Finance Department, according to sources. According to the guidelines, no new sub-head (scheme) both in the Plan and the Non Plan Budget will be included until it is approved by the Accountant General (AG), Haryana.

The department will have to acquire prior approval of the AG through the Finance Department if any new scheme is to be added to the budget estimates for the year 2009-10.

Departments would make specific budget proposals under object head ‘motor vehicles’ if they intend to purchase anew vehicle or replace old vehicle. Distinct provision for accommodation, transport/DA of ministers and officers travelling abroad should be made if required in the budget proposal.

According to guidelines, all the plan schemes for revised estimates 2008-09 and budget estimates 2009-10, which are exclusively meant for the SC component and covered under Plan ceiling will continue to be reflected under specific minor head for Scheduled Castes.


Source: http://www.expressindia.com