Government of Mizoram
Budget Speech: 1973-74
By Shri. Khawtinkhuma
Finance Minister
Mr. Speaker,
I rise to present the Revised Estimate for 1972-73
and the Budget Estimate for 1973-74 to the House.
The Hon’ble Members are aware, that presentation
of the Budget of Mizoram as a Union Territory to the Legislative Assembly
requires prior approval of the Central Government. We have tried to
make our Budget as an instrument and channel for realisation of our
economic and social objectives. I am pleased to mention that the Central
Government continue to extend their sympathy and co-operation to us
in this respect. As against the gross provision for the expenditure
during 1972-73 of Rs. 16.8 Crores, the gross expenditure I shall present
for the 1973-74 budget is Rs.23.6 Crores. In addition to this, through
the conscious effort made by our Chief Minister, the Planning Commission
has agreed to give us an additional grant of Rs. One Crore, which
shall be included in the Revised Estimate and bringing thus the total
to Rs.24.6 Crores for 1973-74.
Hardly five months have passed since I had the privilege
to present the Budget for 1972-73 to this August body. The Hon’ble
Members are aware that it had taken sometime to organise the Development
Departments of this Government, and to put them into shape, and it
was only about three months ago that the staff in strength were placed
in position in various Departments and the Secretariat. As a result,
the delay that had occurred in execution of some schemes was inevitable.
In spite of these difficulties and the very limited time at our disposal
I am glad to mention that the Development Departments express their
ability to utilise almost the entire fund at their disposal. It is
encouraging to know that the central government, in spite of their
financial difficulties brought about by the last year drought and
other factors have indicated their readiness to spare additional fund
for us when demanded in our supplementary budget, provided we can
only spend the present allotment well and in time.
In my Budget Speech of last year, I mentioned the
difficult circumstances in which we were placed and how we were faced
with the task of starting development works afresh after a long break
caused by disturbances. It is sad to point out this time also that
there was a failure of monsoon last year due to a severe drought.
This led to a poor harvest and an extensive loss of crops by the cultivators
and we are now faced with scarcity and great hardship this year also.
This drought was nationwide and the loss it caused to the country
was immense, I therefore, take this opportunity to remind the House
of the great and difficult task that lies ahead and the need to make
concerted and all-out efforts for achieving our targets.
To meet the immediate problem of scarcity condition
the Government have started Stock-taking in rice and other essential
commodities through the State Trading Scheme at the Headquarters and
elsewhere.
The roadside centres have now been well stocked and
the others that used to be fed by air previously are being supplied
through head load. This policy has to be adopted for economic reasons
and to give employment generation to those who are in need of such
employment. Continued efforts are being made to make Sugar, Salt and
Kerosine Oil available to the people at a reasonable price. Let us
not, however, forget that these are of temporary measures and it should
be our concerted effort to stop dependence on outside supply of foodstuff
and to achieve self-sufficiency.
Revised Estimate for 1972-1973.
Revised Estimates for the period from 3.5.72 –31.3.73
are based on requirement of fund as demanded by the spending Departments.
Measures taken in the Revised Estimate may be mentioned. As the Hon’ble
Members may be aware, the Planning Commission made and allotment of
an additional fund of Rs. 162 lakhs on top of the Budget Provision
of Rs.275 lakhs in the Plan Schemes for 1972-73. This additional allotment
was received after the budget estimated were made and according to
the instruction from the Planning Commission, the Schemes under 162
lakhs were to be finalised during Plan discussion for 1973-74. Finally,
the Government of India made allotment of the total sum of additional
162 lakhs for Budgetary purpose and to that extent the Budget for
the current year requires revision. Though the authority from the
Central Government was received late in regard to 162 lakhs of an
additional fund, steps were taken by Development Departments to utilise
this fund from the earlier period.
Another major revision of the Budget was necessary
in regard to Police Department. With the approval of the Central Government,
Budget Estimates 1972-73 were made during last year for Police re-organisation
and provisions for additional posts were accordingly made. The Central
Government, however, subsequently suggested that the Police re-organisation
Schemes might not be implemented until further clearance was obtained.
The case was taken up by our Home Department with the Government of
India and till recently no such clearance was received. This has resulted
in the surrender of about Rs.80 lakhs by the Police Department from
the Budget Estimates. They have, however, indicated in their message
that the strengthening of the Police set-up has been approved and
it is hoped that more Police Stations will be opened in 1973-74. To
supplement the Police Force, the Home Guard Organisation has been
re-organised. On the other hand, the Transport Wing of the Supply
and Transport Department and the Medical Department require more fund
than what was provided and an additional fund is given to such Departments.
A large sum was to be provided for relief measures
to meet the extreme food scarcity condition last year in addition
to measures taken under Employment Generation Schemes, Test Relief
and Gratuitous Relief. The Government sanctioned about 50 lakhs as
Agriculture Distress loan, to be repaid in one year with 5% interest
by the loanees. I am sorry to point out that the rate of repayment
is far below our expectation and particularly in the Aizawl District.
This has resulted in the cutting down of the net fund available for
other types of Loan during the current year. It is hoped that the
Hon’ble Members of the House will help the Government and do their
best in inducing our people to honour the promises and the contracts
made by them to repay the Loan if and when they are in a position
to do so.
Budget Estimates 1973-74:
Budget Estimates for a particular year are made generally
in the months of September and October of the previous year. I may
recall that our Budget for 1972-73 was voted by this House only in
the last week of October, 1972. That was the time when we had no proper
organisation for various Departments. To implement the Schemes and
to utilise the fund fruitfully was the immediate task of the Government
Departments during November, 1972 and afterwards. That peculiar situation
coupled with staff re-organisation made it extremely difficult for
the Government Departments to prepare Budget Estimates for 1973-74
and with due apology I may state that our Budget Estimates under Non-Plan
for 1973-74 and the Plan Schemes for the same period were made in
a great hurry and taken to the Government of India at a very late
stage. Because of the special understanding shown to us by the Government
of India we have been able to get the increased allotment of fund
for the Budget Estimates for 1973-74 as compared to the current year.
The plan Schemes which were discussed by the Development Departments
with the Planning Commission in the second week of January, 1973 were
considered and the approval of the Planning Commission for an allotment
of Rs.5 Crores was received by us only in the third week of last month.
The allotment of fund for the Plan Schemes of Rs.5 Crores was considered
inadequate by us and immediately our Chief Minister rushed to Delhi
and as I mentioned earlier, through his efforts the Planning Commission
agreed to give us an additional fund of Rs. 1 Crore. We have been
told that Finance will not be a constraint for our development. But
on our part, we have to create proper agencies and draw up Schemes
which are feasible and acceptable to the Planning Commission and the
Government of India. We know ours is yet an infant State but we are
confident that in future we shall do better in every field of development.
It is unfortunate that our people are always hungry
in spite of having a vast land at their disposal. To improve their
lots in this respect efforts have been made in different departments
under various schemes to increase food production.
Under Plant Protection Scheme of the Agriculture
Department 100 quintals of Pesticides and Fungicides were procured
for distribution to Farmers. A total area of 1000 acres is covered
with a total expenditure of Rs.0.75 lakhs. Estimates for the year
1973-74 under this items is Rs.1.00 lakh. Different kinds of chemical
fertilisers are being distributed during 1972-73. An area of 400 acres
is covered with a total financial implication of Rs.1.50 lakhs. Proposed
expenditure under this item for 1973-74 is Rs. 1.50 lakhs.
Under the minor Irrigation Scheme 450 acres and 420
acres of land are being reclaimed for Flow Irrigation and Lift Irrigation
respectively for Wet-rice Cultivation. Total financial implication
for 1972-73 is Rs. 1.60 lakhs. Proposed expenditure for 1973-74 under
this scheme is Rs. 2 lakhs (Rs. 1 lakh each for Flow Irrigation and
Lift Irrigation). Improved Agricultural implements have been procured
for sale to deserving cultivators at 50% subsidised rate. Total expenditure
under this item during 1972-73 is Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 2 lakhs will be
spent during 1973-74.
Under the Soil Conservation Programme a total area
of 400 acres are being terraced and 224 acres of valley bottom land
are being reclaimed with a financial implication of Rs. 3.30 lakhs.
108.88 acres of land have been selected for afforestation and Rs.
0.55 lakh is being spent for the purpose. Amount proposed to be spent
for these areas during 1973-74 is Rs. 12.70 lakhs.
Under the Employment Generation Scheme a sum of Rs.
8.98 lakhs has been set aside for
implementation of Agricultural Programmes during
1972-73 (Rs. 4.81 lakhs for land reclamation and Rs. 17 lakhs for
cost of inputs) 874.50 acres of land has been reclaimed under the
Scheme (Aizawl District 546 acres, Lunglei District – 182 acres and
Chhimtuipui District – 147 acres). Under the C.S.R.E. Scheme 2090
acres of land has been reclaimed.
Under the Horticulture Scheme 5000 Nos of Fruit Plants
are being purchased for distribution and 140 acres of land is covered.
The total expenditure under this item is Rs. 0.79 lakh and a sum of
Rs. 1.00 lakh is proposed to be spent during 1973-74.
Under the Fruit Processing Scheme machineries and
accessories for production of Fruit Squash and Juices are procured
and are being fixed at Vairengte with a total expenditure of Rs. 0.50
lakhs. The proposed expenditure for 1973-74 is Rs. 1 lakh. A total
amount of Rs. 1.78 lakhs is being placed for manufacture of unbleached
Dry Ginger. 200 quintals will be produced at the end of the year.
Target for 1973-74 is 1000 quintals with an expenditure of Rs. 1 lakh.
It is proposed to extend plantation of Teak wood
during 1973-74. Preparatory works have been taken up during 1972-73
like survey, demarcation, clear felling, burning etc. Total area proposed
to be covered is 680 hectares with a total expenditure of Rs. 3 lakhs.
It is also proposed to take up a new plantation covering 193 hectares
during 1972-73, Targets for 1973-74 is 680 hectares with an expenditure
of Rs. 3 lakhs. For rehabilitation of degraded forests 45 hectares
of land has been selected for new plantation and work is in progress
and the total expenditure by the end of the current financial year
will be Rs. 0.25 lakhs. The target for 1973-74 is 20 hectares with
an expenditure of Rs. 0.20 lakh. Mention may be made that a forest
based Industry of paper and pulp is proposed to be established at
Bairabi. Raw materials survey by the Forest Department is under progress.
This Industry when established will provide employment to several
thousand persons. The Forest Revenue in 1970-71 was 268,000/-, Rs.
900,800/- in 1971-73 and it will be more in 1972-73.
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY : Under the Cattle
Development Scheme 50 Cows of cross-bred are being purchased for distribution
on sale free of transportation charges. During 1973-74 a total amount
of Rs. 1 lakh is proposed to be spent for purchase of 100 more Cows.
An artificial insemination centre has been started at Kolasib for
which a sum of Rs. 0.37 lakh has been spent during 1972-73. Three
new centres will be opened during 1973-74 with financial implication
of Rs. 1.70 lakhs. A Cattle Breeding
Farm has been opened for production of Young Bull
calves as well as for milk supply to
Aizawl Town and its suburbs and a provision of Rs.
1.66 lakhs has been made for this and it will be spent fully during
1972-73. Rs. 2 lakhs is proposed to be spent during 1973-74 under
this item. A Feed-Mill-Cum-Mixing Plant has been established during
the year 1972-73 with a total expenditure of Rs. 3.03 lakhs. Three
small units of Poultry Farm have been started with a total expenditure
of Rs. 3.25 lakhs. A sum of Rs. 5.85 lakhs is proposed to be spent
during 1973-74 for Pig demonstration farms. A mobile Veterinary Dispensary
has been started at Saiha with an expenditure of Rs. 1.50 lakhs. During
1973-74 Rs. 7 lakhs is proposed to be spent under this scheme.
STATE TRANSPORT : Mizoram State Transport
has started functioning from June, 1972 with a lone bus inherited
from the District Council. Regular daily Bus Service has been started
between Aizawl and Silchar. Buses between Aizawl and Lunglei are plying
four times a week and a daily service is likely to start soon. A weekly
private Bus service runs between Aizawl and Saitual. By the end of
this financial year we hope to have 12 Big Buses, 8 Mini Buses and
2 Taxis on road and we will then be having daily two services between
Aizawl and Silchar and Aizawl and Lunglei and regular Bus service
between Aizawl and Saitual. Land for construction of Bus Station is
being acquired and construction of the Bus Station is expected to
be completed soon. During the next year we hope to acquire more buses
and taxis to augment the existing services and to start new services
towards Lawngtlai and Demagiri. A goods service is also likely to
start next year.
HEALTH : Under Health Programme the
following Schemes have been taken up during the year 1972-73. A 20
bedded Hospital is being constructed at Champhai and one 50 bedded
T.B. Hospital has also been constructed at Aizawl. The Civil Hospital
at Aizawl has been extended. The building of the Out-door Department
of the Civil Hospital has also been extended. Construction of a Central
Godown at Aizawl has also been started during the year.
During 1973-74, all the Institutions started in 1972-73
are proposed to be furnished with requisite equipments, medical stores
as well as staff and Doctors. The existing mobile dispensaries are
also to be strengthened by supplying vehicles, stores and equipments.
The amount proposed to be spent during 1973-74 is Rs. 13.85 lakhs.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT: The P.W.D.
in Mizoram is to bear the brunt of the development activities in the
field of construction of roads and buildings which are pre-requisites
for developing the economy of any undeveloped state. The total work
load of the P.W.D. during 1972-73 is about Rs. 258 lakhs and it is
anticipated to be about Rs. 370 lakhs in 1973-74 under both Non-Plan
and Plan. The bulk of this amount will be spent on construction and
maintenance of roads in Mizoram. For the execution of works which
are several times more than in previous year. The P.W.D. has been
expanded by creation of three additional divisions and a planning
division attached to the Principal Engineer's ’Office.
Under the Annual Plan for construction of roads,
the P.W.D. is now concentrating in construction of a few selected
roads to be completed during the 4th Five Year Plan.
WATER SUPPLY: Priority has been given
to supply of safe and adequate drinking water under the Public Health
Engineering Department. To cope with the increased work, expansion
of the Department is under active consideration of the Government.
In the Annual Plan, an allocation of Rs. 60.04 lakhs was made out
of which Rs. 40.32 lakhs is expected to be utilised during the current
year. During 1973-74 the allocation is Rs. 66.89 lakhs and work is
proposed to be taken on water supply scheme at Lunglei, Kolasib, Lokicherra,
Serchhip and Saiha while the Aizawl Water Supply Scheme will reach
near completion state. The tempo of works is expected to increase
next year with the strengthening of the department by expansion and
recruitment of qualified personnel.
POWER: Practically all the works are
being executed by the Assam State Electricity Board. It has been decided
to take up an execution of electricity schemes in isolated areas under
Government of Mizoram and a beginning has been made by creating a
new Electrical Division Action is being taken to recruit a qualified
and competent officer for the post of Executive Engineer (Electrical).
The allocation under the Annual plan for 1972-73
is Rs. 54.98 lakhs while Rs. 60 lakhs has been provided for 1973-74.
At present it is proposed to extend lines from existing diesel stations
to the adjoining villages and also to complete the 66 KV transmission
line from Dullabcherra to Aizawl. With the completion of the 66 KV
line during the 4th Five Year Plan, the power supply position
in the Northern parts of Mizoram is expected to improve considerably.
The proposal for creation of a division for investigation of the Micro
Hydel Project in Mizoram is also under consideration of the Government.
The existing Community Development Blocks in Mizoram
are nine in number plus one special block at Saiha. During 1972-73
a total amount of Rs. 8 lakhs has been sanctioned and used for the
improvement of Communication, Agriculture, Health and Sanitation and
Social Education. Our proposal to open eleven new additional Blocks
in 1973-74 has been approved by the Government of India and these
new Blocks will be opened soon under Arunachal (NEFA) pattern in which
Rs. 1.06 lakhs per Block will be provided for the first year of the
first stage.
Crash Scheme for Rural Employment is a Centrally
Sponsored Scheme taken under the Community Development Department.
A sum of Rs. 12.50 lakhs have been sanctioned and used in 1972-73
for construction of new roads, Playgrounds and reclamation of land
for Wet Rice Cultivation.
55 Service Co-Operative Societies are provided with
financial assistance during the year 1972-73 to strengthen their position.
The Mizo Whole-Sale Co-Operative Stores Ltd., Aizawl is being assisted
with a sum of Rs. 3.60 lakhs this year. Two Dairy Farming Societies
and four other types of Societies are also assisted financially during
the current year to improve their positions. During 1973-74 the existing
Societies and new Societies will be assisted financially to help them
attaining viability. There are proposals to establish an Apex Marketing
Co-Operative Society to cover the whole of Mizoram and to open a Branch
at Lunglei by the Mizo Wholesale Co-Operative Stores Ltd. The fishing
Co-Operative Society at Demagiri, the two Dairy Farms and other existing
societies and Industry, Handloom, Livestock etc. are proposed to be
strengthened further for attaining viability in their respective spheres
of activities.
The Directorate of Information, Public Relations
& Tourism has been strengthened by upgrading the two Sub-Divisional
Offices at Lunglei and Saiha into that of District Offices and by
the appointment of one new Deputy Director. Besides its other functions
the Directorate looks after the printing and publication works of
the Government and recently two new printing machines have been purchased
and installed. One of its important activities is to project the image
of Mizoram and introduce Mizoram to the outside world through the
media of press publicity and advertisements in all India papers.
Mention may be made of various types of loans generously
extended to the public by the Government. I may be permitted to take
this opportunity to remind the honourable members that those loans
are meant for use only for the purpose for which they are taken and
to be repaid in time as for per agreements. I may, therefore, be allowed
to appeal for their sincere help in recovering these loans through
their good offices.
There has been a further expansion of Educational
Institution in 1972-73. This was desirable. At the same time, we are
to see the interest of the State and the people primarily. It has
been considered that, for the present, we should aim at consolidation
and meeting the quality. In this context, emphasis will be laid on
Science Education, training discipline and other measures which contribute
to the quality of our Educational Institutions.
The Government created Directorate of Land Settlement
and Land Records. It takes time to recruit suitable people and even
now we have not been able to appoint a Director and a Settlement Officer.
Four Assistant Settlement Officers Grade II were appointed and one
of them has been posted at Lunglei. The Government have delegated
Revenue Powers including Land Settlement to this Officer at Lunglei
for Lunglei District. The Government have gone slow intentionally
in regard to land allotment in the town because of the fact that there
have been double allotments of land and dispute and also priority
is given to setting up proper land records. The survey of Aizawl Town
was started but could not be completed due to shortage of staff.
The newly appointed Field Staff in the Revenue Directorate
immediately took up the work of Tax assessment and its collection.
I am happy to note that the response to the tax demands has been encouraging.
This has been so in spite of scarcity condition and the hardship faced
by the people. Land Records have been built up in respect of Garden
Passes according to the village area. It is hoped that the Land Records
preparation will be completed in respect of Wet Rice Cultivation land
very soon.
Local Administration Department looks after Town
Sanitation and the Village Councils. The Department is yet in the
process of being orgnised. The responsibility of payment of street
light charges in the territory to the Assam State Electricity Board
falls on this Department.
The three District Councils namely, Pawi, Lakher
and Chakma District Councils which are under the Law Department were
given the Grant-in-aid of Rs. 12.75 lakhs and the additional amount
of Rs. 2.25 lakhs will be released soon. There will be increased provision
for grant-in-aid to the three District Councils in the Budget of 1973-74.
As the Hon’ble Members are aware, there were elections during the
last December to these three new District Councils. The need for speedy
development of these District Councils areas cannot be over emphasised
and the Government will take measures to help the development of these
District Council areas.
The Industries Department is installing in 1972-73,
one hundred and two (102) combined Rice Huller and Oil Expeller/Maize
Crusher in different parts of Mizoram where Rice, Oilseeds & Maize
are grown in large quantities. Selections of sites for two Industrial
Estates at Lunglei and Aizawl to cater for the needs of the small
scale Entrepreneurs of the localities have been done. The Cottage
Industries Scale Emporium at Aizawl and Lunglei which were closed
down during disturbances have been reorganised. Sericulture Farms
at Rangvamual and Zemabawk have been renovated to produce more seed
cocoon and also to help the individual Sericulturists.
In 1973-74, the Department proposes to establish
3 units of Saw Mills and 5 units of Mechanised Carpentry Workshops
in the regions where good timbers are available. In the Sugarcane
growing areas, it is proposed to install 20 centrifugal machines for
production of khansari Sugar.
It is also proposed to continue distribution of general
Industrial Loans to deserving Industrialists.
The Hon’ble Members will be conscious of the fact
that our domestic Revenue Receipt in consideration of the size of
our State and that of the population is negligible. Because of the
lack of personnel, we have not been able to study in detail, our resources
position and the means to improve them. It will be in our own interest
that we raise more revenue which in turn will increase our over-all
developmental expenditure. It is our intention to take measures in
this line, however, without putting the incident of such measures
too hard on the poorer section of the people. With this word, Sir,
I present the Revised Estimate for 1972-73 and the Budget Estimate
for 1973-74.
JAI HIND
