Government of Mizoram
Budget Speech: 2000-01
By Zoramthanga,
Chief Minister and Minister of Finance
Mr Speaker Sir,
May I, with your permission,
rise to present before this august House the Supplementary Demands
for 1999-2000 and the Budget Estimates for 2000-2001.
2. I hope the Honourable
Members are aware that the priorities of this Government are achieving
self sufficiency in food, accelerating development activities to reduce
the dependence on the Centre, creating opportunities for income generation,
providing lasting solution to the problems on the social front and
promotion of trade and commerce. The Honourable Members of this august
House wil be aware that the Government machineries at all levels and
all other agencies concerned have seriously devoted themselves to
achieve these objectives.
3. Due to non finalisation
of the Annual Plan allocation by the Planning Commission, I am constraint
to retain the level of the Annual Plan size of 1999-2000 for the year
2000-2001 in the Budget I am presenting now. Unlike the preceding
years, this Budget session will continue till middle of April 200
to enable Honourable Members to have ample time to study and discuss
the budget in detail. Therefore, I am to seek "Vote on Account"
for April, 2000 the first month of 2000-2001 for facilitating financial
transaction of the Government departments till full budget for the
year 2000-2001 is considered and approved by this august House. It
is excepted that the size of the Annual Plan for the year 2000-2001,
when finalised by the Planning Commission, would be bigger than the
one presented now and revision of the quantum of fund, if any, would
again be brought before this august House at the appropriate time
for obtaining Supplementary Grants.
4. I feel it appropriate
to share with you the financial burden shouldered by the Government
throughout this year. According to the records of the Reserve Bank
of Inda, the current financial year of 1999-2000 was opened with a
deficit of Rs 145.44 crores. This deficit is the result of accumulated
deficit since the elevation of Mizoram into Statehood in 1987. Despite
the efforts of the Government to narrow down the deficit, the gap
has widened as a result of revision of pay and pension of the Government
employees and salaries and other entitlements of the Honourable Members
of the Legislative Assembly during the current financial year involving
additional expenditure of not less than Rs 10 crores every month.
In absence of specific additional resources to meet this additional
expenditure, the State Government is compelled to exert its efforts
to reduce non-development expenditure and at the same time mobilise
additional resources to the extent of resorting to unavoidable measures
like reintroduction of Sales Tax on selected goods, upward revision
of user charges like water and power tariffs and bus fares.
5. I would like to apprise
this august House that the Central Government authorities have been
approached time and again to evolve solution to our financial problems.
They have fully appreciated our problems. It is a matter of satisfaction
that unlike previous years, we have been able to manage the State
finances without suspension of payments by the Reserve Bank of India
till today. I have already informed this august House in my last budget
speech about the constitution of a Group of Officers to review the
financial problems of Mizoram by the ministry of Finance, Government
of India. The recommendations of the Group of Officers have been accepted
by the Government of India as announced by the Honourable Prime Minister
during his Conference with Governors and Chief Ministers of the North
Eastern States and Sikkim on 21st and 22nd January,
2000 at Shillong.
6. Honourable Members
are aware that Mizoram has a fair share of the Prime Minister’s announcement
for various initiatives for Social and Economic Development of the
North East Region and Sikkim. Amongst such initiatives, the most unique
is an award of "Peace Bonus" which has never been known
so far in the country. This Peace Bonus is awarded with a view to
encourage the people of Mizoram who have opted for peaceful economic
development. This is the philosophy behind the acceptance of the recommendation
of the Committee. This award contains allotment of Rs 180 crores to
tide over the financial problems of the State and also Rs 50 crores
every year from the Non-lapsable Pool of Central Resources for five
years for specific infrastructural development projects in Mizoram
Besides this Peace Bonus, other developmental initiatives like Establishment
of Central University in Mizoram for which a sum of RS 25 crres will
be spent for development of infrastructure, raising one more India
Reserve Batalion with an estimated expenditure of Rs 15 crores for
three years, Development of Border township at Zokhawthat in Myanmar
Border with an estimated cost of Rs 5 crores, International Border
Fencing, development of Information Technology and Technology Mission
for Horticulture by which Mizoram will largely be benefited have also
been announced by the Prime Minister.
7. For all these socio-economic
development initiatives, I would like to put on records my sincere
gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister.
8. I am happy to inform
this august House that a number of projects have also been considered
and recommended by the Government of India to be funded from the Non-lapsable
Pool of Central Resources during the current financial year 1999-2000
Among them, new projects like Mobilisation and Development of Feed
and Fodder resources, Integrated Piggery Development Project, Bamboo
Processing Industries, Establishment of Fish Seed Farms at Zawlnuam,
Zobawk, Lengpuri, Phura, Marketing facilities and marketing of Tung
seeds and oils of Mizoram, Minor Irrigation Schemes, North Eastern
Hill University and Basic Minimum Service are being taken up Apart
from these projects, ongoing projects like State Referral Hospital
Projects and Aizawl Water Supply Scheme Phase-II will also be continued.
All these will account for Rs 62.24 crores. Besides, an additional
amount of Rs 4 crores for Basic Minimum Services have been granted
under Prime Minister’s Package for Mizoram and also additional amount
of Rs 15 crores for Social Housing Schemes have been allotted to us
as negotiated loan from Life Insurance Corporation. This additional
allotment for Social Housing Scheme will go a long way in meeting
the requirements of the Government employees and the public in the
housing sector.
9. I may also enlighten
the Honourable Members that many of our other proposals are under
active considerations of the Planning Commission for clearance within
the remaining period of the current financial year Among such proposals,
Champhai Water Supply Scheme, State Capital Project and Rehabilitation
of Drainage System in Aizawl are in the pipeline for release of sanctions.
10. I may now give a
very brief account of some of the performances and tentative programmes
of the departments which may undergo some changes when the Annual
Plan size for 2000-2001 is received from the Planning Commission.
(i) Agriculture Department:
To achieve self-sufficiency in food, the Department has taken up a
programme of land development to create 395 hectares of Wet Rice Cultivation
oat various locations. To increase crop production with high yielding
variety of rice, 9 Minor Irrigation Projects with a command area of
465 hectares have been completed. New method of farming with "pit
system" is introduced to transform the system of destructive
shifting cultivation into permanent cultivation. 20 Minor Irrigation
Projects are being implemented with the loan assistance from National
Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and another 10
projects under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme.
During 2000-2001, mechanisation
and privatisation will be given priority under land development. It
is targeted to reclaim 300 hectares by mechanisation and additional
200 hectares manually. Cultivation of cash crops like sugarcane, cotton
and jute are to be given importance. It is proposed to distribute
Tractors and Power Tillers at subsidised rate to the farmers.
(ii) Horticulture
Department: An area of 655 hectares are covered under different
Horticulture crops like Orange. Passion fruit, Banana, Ginger, Turmeric,
Arecanut and Sunflower. 100 numbers of farmers are given roofing materials
free of cost for water harvesting.
During 2000-2001, emphasis
will be given on area expansion and procurement of good quality planting
materials of fruit crops of high market value like Passion fruit,
Orange and Banana. It is proposed to construct 100 km link roads in
rural areas to connect the orchard and garden with main roads and
villages.
(iii) Power &
Electricity Department: The notable achievement during the current
financial year is the commissioning of 3 MW Teirei small Hydel Project.
It is also expected that 3 MW Tuipang lui and 3 MW Kau Tlabung projects
will be commissioned shortly. Construction of 132 KV transmission
lines covering Saitual to Darlawn, Khawzawl to Ngopa, Khawzawl to
Lunglei and Lawngtlai to Tuipang Lui are in good progress. During
2000-2001, the projects like 200 MW Heavy furnace oil Thermal Project
at Bairabi, 12 MW Serlui ‘B’ Hydro Electric Project, 3 MW Maicham
Small Hydel Project and 0.5 MW Lamsial Micro Hydel Electric Project
are proposed to be taken up.
Besides, renovation and
modernization of Hydel Generation Stations at Serlui ‘A’, Khawiva,
Tuirivang and Tuipui and Diesel Generation Stations at Luangmual,
Lunglei, Champhai and Serchhip will be taken up.
The capacity of transformation
stations at Zuangtui and Luangmual will also be augmented from 18.5
Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) and 12.5 MVA to 25 MVA in both the cases. Rural
Electricification and Distribution Network in the State will also
be improved during the year.
Central Water Commission
(CWC) has already handed over the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of
Kolodyne Phase-I with a capacity of 120 MW on 22nd February,
2000. Submission of DPR in respect of Bairabi Hydel Project with a
capacity of 80 MW by Brahmaputra Board is expected very shortly. Investigations
works are in progress in respect of Kolodyne Phase-II (400 MW), Tuivawl
(48 MW) and Tuirini (60 MW) and the DPRs are expected from CWC within
2001.
(iv) Industry Department:
Under the scheme of development of Tea Industry, 144 hectares of land
have been covered for tea plantation. 325 tea growing families at
Biate have been selected by the Department for scientific management
of their tea gardens. In the field of Information and Technology the
Department has taken initiatives to keep pace with emerging new technologies
and bring the State at par with more advanced States. Under Mines
and Minerals Wing, Hydro-Geological Investigation in 5 villages and
drilling of 13 tube wells have been completed and various important
rock samples were also collected.
During 2000-2001, establishment
of Industrial Growth Centre at Luangmual and setting up of Export
Promotion Industrial Park will be vigorously pursued. Necessary steps
are being taken for setting up of Bamboo based industries where locally
available raw materials can be utilised. Investigation, assessment
of minor minerals, geo-technical ground water and hydro-geological
investigation will be taken up.
(v) Public Health
Engineering Department: During the current year, 86 habitations
have been provided with drinking water under Rural Water Supply Scheme.
Under Urban Water Supply Programme, Greater Saiha Water Supply Scheme
has been completed and the works for implementation of Greater Aizawl
Water Supply Phase-II under Integrated Project of Aizawl has been
started. Under Accelerated Urban Water Supply Programme, Hnahthial
and Zawlnuam Water Supply Projects have been completed and the Programmes
at Saitual, Sairang and Darlawn are also in progress.
In the next financial
year of 2000-2001, it is proposed to take up the Water Supply Schemes
at Mamit, Tlabung, Lawngtlai, Kawnpui and Hnahthial as well as Composite
Water Supply Scheme at Biate under Urban Water Supply Programme. Steps
are also being taken for implementation of Thenzawl and Haulawng Composite
Water Supply Scheme under Accelerated Urban Water Supply Programme.
It is also proposed to take up Greater Champhai Water Supply Scheme
under Non-lapsable Pool of Central Resources.
(vi) Health &
Family Welfare Department: Construction of 30 bedded Community
Health Centre (CHC) each at Sakawrdai and Saitual have been completed
and construction of CHC buildings at Vairengte and Mamit are also
nearing completion Construction of 9 Primary Health Centres (PHC)
are taken up, of which 5 have been completed and remaining 4 are in
good progress Paying cabin having 16 rooms at Aizawl Civil Hospital
is also completed. The Construction works of 200 bedded hospital at
Lunglei and 50 bedded hospital at Serchhip are also in good progress.
Construction of Referral Hospital at Falkawn under Non-lapsable Pool
of Central Resources is also being started.
During the next financial
year of 2000-2001, construction of Referral Hospital at Falkawn and
Hospital at Lunglei and Serchhip will be continued. It is also proposed
to construct Out Patient Department building at Champhai and Maternity
centre at ITI veng, Aizawl. Introduction of innovative schemes under
various Health programmes will be one of the thrust areas of the Department
during the year.
(vii) Public Works
Department: During the current financial year, the Department
has completed formation cutting of 116.17 km under various road development
schemes. Improvement and widening of 61.20 km have also been completed.
The Department has also completed construction of 5 Bailey bridges
and other 4 bridges across various rivers within the State. As many
as 15 important buildings including additional Secretariat Building
at Aizawl, Mizoram House at Vellore have also been completed.
During the next financial
year 2000-2001, a number of on-going works like Auditorium at Aizawl,
Saikuti Hall, Civil Hospital and D.C. Complex at Lunglei will be continued
Construction of Girder bridges at Tuivai, Tlawng and Tuichang rivers
will be taken up. It is also proposed to construct a bridge to connect
Chawngte ‘L’, Chawngte ‘C’ and Chawngte ‘P’, Road construction works
of Aizawl – Reiek – W.Lungdar (40 km) and Rawpuichhip – Buarpui (90
km) sanctioned under NABARD Loan will be continued. Govenrment of
India handed over 2 New National Highway of NH 44-A (Sairang – Mamit
– Manu Road) and NH 150 (Seling-Tipaimukh-Kohima Road) to the Mizoram
PWD and the works are in progress. Upgradation and improvement works
of Aizawl-Thenzawl-Lunglei and Bairabi-Zamuang roads to National Highway
Standard under World Bank assistance are also contemplated. Development
of roads and buildings within Assam Rifles are will also continue.
(viii) Food &
Civil Supplies Department: During the current financial year of
1999-2000 selection of site for LPG bottling Plant at Mualkhang have
been finalised and Indian Oil Corporation (Assam Oil Division) is
expected to start the work shortly. The Department also completed
construction of 5 Godowns, 49 quarters and purchased 4 digital weighbridges
for installation in 4 main godowns.
In the next financial
year of 2000-2001, it is proposed to construct 3 Godowns at Kanghmun,
Kawnpui and Vaphai and also 16 Staff quarters in various localities.
15 officers for Area Inspection of Supply are also proposed to be
constructed.
(ix) Social Welfare
Department: During 1999-2000, the Department has given financial
assistance to 750 handicapped persons, 6792 old aged pensioners, 650
destitute women and 600 voluntary organisation. Under Nutrition Programme,
2,47,596 beneficiaries are maintained and midday meal are given to
1,17,237 school going children under Supplementary Nutrition Programme.
The Mizoram Social Defence and Rehabilitation Board has been set up
to tackle the social problems.
In the year 2000-2001,
the Department proposes to provide financial assistance to 500 handicapped
persons, 200 destitute women and 6790 old aged pensioners. 1,47,596
persons and 1,17,237 beneficiaries under Nutrition and Midday Meal
Programme respectively are proposed to be maintained.
(x) Soil & Water
Conservation Department: The Department covers 31 hectares for
plantation of large cardamom, 20 hectares for arecanut plantation
and 19 hectares for rubber plantation. The existing 164 hectares of
coffee plantation, 5 hectares of large cardamom plantation and 40
hectares of Rubber Plantation are also maintained. The Department
also distributed 26 quintals of coffee seeds to farmers and cash crop
nurseries are raised in 8 Territorial Divisions and 65 families have
been settled into permanent cultivation.
During 2000-2001, the
Department proposes to create cash crop and spices development, cash
crop Nursery and Mixed Nursery at eight functional divisions covering
an area of 400 hectares. Construction of water harvesting structure
and dug out ponds are also proposed to prevent plants against dry
season Importance will be given to watershed management, road construction,
input survey and Soil Conservation Engineering works. More nurseries
are going to be raised and at least 80 families are to be settled
into permanent cultivation.
(xi) Transport Department:
During the current year, the Department has improved and renovated
Booking Stations at Aizawl, Serchhip, Vairengte, Champhai, Lunglei
and Tlabung. The Depot-cum-Workshop at Chaltlang is also improved
to meet the ever increasing demand for maintenance of the bus fleet.
It is also expected to augment the existing fleet by adding seven
new buses.
In the next year of 2000-2001,
it is proposed to purchase 10 new buses. Central Workshop at Hlimen
and Chaltlang Workshop will be improved by way of purchasing more
tools and equipments. The Department also proposed to acquire land
and construct thereon offices of District Transport at Kolasib and
Lawngtlai. Driving Training School at Aizawl is also expected to be
established during the year.
(xii) Tourism Department:
During 1999-2000, improvement of internal roads at Tamdil has been
done Site preparation, approach road, electrification and land development
have also been taken up in various tourist centres.
During the next financial
year of 2000-2001, the Department will take up a multi storied new
Tourist Lodge building at Chaltlang, Aizawl. It is also proposed to
commission Tourist Cottages at Tamdil, Tourist Lodge at Khawbung,
Tourist Complex at Lengpui and Tourist Lodge at Berawtlang which will
provide additional 24 Rooms with 90 beds for the Tourists.
(xiii) Fisheries Department:
During 1999-2000, the Department released 45 lakhs quality fish seeds
in major rivers and distributed additional 25 lakhs seeds on subsidy
to the farmers Training in pisciculture technology was imparted to
300 fish farmers. Six cemented nurseriesat Tamdil and four rearing
tanks at Zawlnuam are constructed.
During 2000-2001, it
is proposed to take up systematic development of riverine fisheries
in Mizoram. More emphasis will be given on research and awareness
campaign. It is also proposed to cover 92 hectares under pisciculture
and also to provide transport and cold storage facilities to fish
farmers at Kolasib and Bawngkawn for marketing there products.
(xiv) Local Administration
Department: During the current year of 1999-2000, composite cash
loan to 1796 Government employees of various categories and public
housing loan to 624 families are being given. Under the Tenth Finance
Commission award, the department has completed construction of 60
Village Council Houses and 50 Village Markets in various places. The
Department has also completed construction of Sanitation Office at
Sikulpuikawn, Aizawl.
The Department received
sanction of Rs 38.50 lakhs from Housing and Urban Development Corporation
(HUDCO) for urban slum area development and rural model village. This
allotment is received as grant from HUDCO as a commemoration of India’s
50th year of Independence. Constructions of market buildings
at various selected places have also been initiated under the Non-lapsable
Pool of Central Resources.
(xv) Trade & Commerce
Department: During 1999-2000, construction of market buildings
at Bawngkawn, Vairengte and Khawzawl are completed Regional Offices
are opened at Champhai and Lunglei. The Department has successfully
organised marketing of gingers, potatoes and also procured Tung seeds
through Mizoram Agriculture Marketing Corporation. Creation of marketing
facilities and avenues for marketing of Tung seeds and its oil products
in India and abroad is being explored. Greater emphasis will be laid
on Development Programme of border trade with Myanmar and Bangladesh.
(xvi) Higher &
Technical Education Department: During 1999-2000, Post Matric
Scholarship has been given to 13413 students and research fellowship
are given to 11 students. Also incentive cash award are given to successful
candidates in the Preliminary and Main Examinations of All India Service
Competitive Examination. Construction of Science Block at Lunglei
Government College and Boys Hostel at Luangmual are being completed.
It will also given priority to technical and science education to
cope up with the pace of fast advancing modern world. The establishment
of Central University in Mizoram have been approved by the Govt. of
India. A sum of Rs 25 crores was also announced by the Prime Minister
of India for development of infrastructure for the proposed University.
Constructions of Mizoram Hindi Training College Complex and Women
Polytechnic buildings at Durtlang are being started. Construction
of College of Teachers Training Education at Aizawl is also being
started. Directorate building has also been commissioned.
(xvii) School Education
Department: The Department’s efforts through its Formal Educational
Institutions and Adult Litcracy drives has achieved 95 per cent literacy
which is now the highest in the country. Activities will be intensified
by the Department towards achieving total literacy. During 1999-2000,
the Department supplied text books and uniforms to poor students free
of cost. Concrete steps have been taken up for construction and improvement
of a large number of school buildings during 2000-2001.
(xviii) Animal Husbandry
& Veterinary Department: During 1999-2000, a total of 750
Piglets of pure exotic blood are sold for breeding purposes to the
Farmers. In order to improve Piggery production and Dairy Farming,
the Department imported 120 Piglets and 20 Calves from Australia for
Foundation Stock and then distributed to the Local Farmers. A dairy
plant with a capacity of 10000 litres per day at Aizawl is being commissioned
shortly, another plant with a capacity of 5000 litres per day at Lunglei
will also be set up shortly. Construction of Directorate building
is also completed and become functional.
During 2000-2001, the
Department proposes to establish Modern Animal Feed Plants with production
capacity of 50 Metric tons per day and also implement Integrated Piggery
Development Project.
(xix) Rural Development
Department: The Department is implementing poverty alleviation
programme under IAY, EAS and JGSY and the achievements during the
current year are construction of 831 houses, generation of 4.44 lakhs
and 2.86 lakhs mandays respectively. Under social education, construction
of Saikuti Hall at Lunglei and 30 Community Halls at various places
in Mizoram are taken up. Under Rural Housing scheme, 6770 Rural Poor
Families will be provided roofing materials.
(xx) Police Department:
Under the schemes of modernisation of Police, Central assistance of
Rs 21.95 lakhs have been received for purchase of sophisticated equipments
and weapons. The proposal for raising additional IR Battallion have
also been approved. Police Housing Scheme has been taken up under
Annual Plan to raise the existing satisfaction level Besides, a number
of vehicles, communication equipments Arms and Ammunitions have been
received from Government of India under Special Modernisation Scheme.
Efforts are on to upgrade the capacity of the State Police Force by
providing better training facilities.
(xxi) Printing &
Stationeries Department: During 1999-2000 construction of 8 units
of staff quarters at Aizawl have been taken up and it is expected
to complete the works within 2000-2001. 2 new Districts Offices at
Champhai and Kolasib have been opened.
(xxii) Environment
& Forest Department: The Department has created an area of
4200 hectares for raising of plantation and maintained an area of
7100 hectares of existing plantation. The department has raised adequate
stock of nursery for planting requirement of 4420 hectares under different
afforestation scheme Normal protection, preservation and development
of Wildlife are taken up in Damps, Murlen, Ngengpui, Phawngpui, Khawnglung
and Lengteng. Economic development works in the peripherial areas
are also taken up to provide food and employment security to the people.
A special programme of
Green Mizoram 1999 was organised with great success. Government Employees,
members of Non-Government Organisations and students actively participated
in planting of different species of trees throughout the State and
99,108 tree seeding have been planted under this programme. Extensive
drive is being carried out to prevent jungle fire.
During 2000-2001 the
Department proposes to establish Bamboo and Rattan Research Institute,
Orchid Research Centre at Berawtlang, Ethno-Botanical Garden in Mizoram
and Millennium Park at Reiek.
(xxiii) Sericulture
Department: During 1999-2000, the Department produced 500 kg of
raw silk, 1000 quilts and 480 metres of silk fabrics Mulberry plantation
has also been taken up covering 600 acres of land.
During 2000-2001, the
Department proposes to produce 400 quilts, 1000 metres of silk fabrics
and 31 quintal of raw silk. It is also proposed to impart training
to 150 farmers and 17 buildings are also proposed for construction.
(xxiv) Science &
Technology: It is expected to complete Integrated Mission for
sustainable development project of Aizawl District using satellite
remote sensing technology. Installation of 90 kilo-watt Low Head Mizro-turbine
Project having 50 kilo-watt capacity has been completed. It is also
proposed to establish Planetarium for recreational and educational
purpose.
(xxv) Economic &
Statistics Department: During 1999-2000, the Department published
12 series of monthly price bulletin and annual report of registration
of births and deaths. It has also carried out National Sample Survey
and State income estimation.
(xxvi) Law & Judicial
Department: The Department has completed construction of High
Court building at Aizawl and construction of District Council Court
at Aizawl and subordinate District Council Courts of Lunglei and Saiha
are nearing completion.
During 2000-2001, the
Department proposes to set up consumers dispute redressal agencies
in all the 5 new districts.
(xxvii) Art &
Culture Department: During 1999-2000, the Department organised
various cultural programmes and also participated in various Inter-State
Cultural meets. The Department also organised various competitions,
seminar, symposium and art exhibition to promote Mizo culture.
(xxviii) Information
& Public Relations Department: The Department participated
in the Republic Day Celebration in New Delhi by putting up Mizoram
Tableau this year and displayed the concept of signing of the historic
Mizo peace accord which heralded an era of peaceful atmosphere followed
by accelerated developmental activities.
The Department is also
poised to catch up the development of information technology with
the rest of the world by opening website for Mizoram on the internet
and thereby exposing Mizoram for the global audience.
(xxix) Labour &
Employment Department: During 1999-2000, the department established
District Employment Exchange offices at Champhai, Kolasib and Lawntlai.
During 2000-2001, the
Department proposes to establish two more Industrial Training Institutes
(ITI) and a scheme of modernisation of ITI at Aizawl will also be
taken up.
(xxx) Prisons Department:
During 1999-2000, construction of 12 quarters and 5 units of barracks
have been completed. During 2000-2001, construction of 28 staff quarters,
5 units of barracks and establishment of jails in new district headquarters
will be taken up.
(xxxi) Administrative
Training Institute: The institute has conducted 25 batches of
traiing programmes for various categories of Government official during
this year and also propose to conduct 32 more training programme in
2000-2001. Upgradation and improvement of the Institute is also comtempleted.
(xxxii) Land Revenue
& Settlement Department: During 1999-2002, computerisation
of land records has been initiated. A total of 2000 hectares cadastral
survey covering 15 towns and 3000 survey stations work was completed.
Construction of 3 village level land record room cum staff quarter
within Mamit district is also completed.
During 2000-2001, it
is proposed to allot 2000 plots of land to the poor and landless families
at various convenient locations within towns and sub-town areas. For
strengthening district level functionaries, construction of record
rooms at Serchhip, Mamit and Aizawl are proposed. Refresher Course
Training for in-service technical personnel is also proposed.
(xxxiii) Cooperation
Department: Under this Department there are 10 State undertaking
Apex Cooperative Institutions, 2900 societies are organised and registered
at different levels.
During 2000-2001, the
Department envisages envisages improvement in the functioning of the
existing different State levels Cooperative Societies & Institutions
and to cover new areas by organising new Cooperative Societies. It
is also proposed to install market complexes, godowns and check gates
at Tlabung. Marpara and Kanhamun border towns.
(xxiv) Sports &
Youth Services Department: The Department continued to lay emphasis
on promotion of various sport activities. 2 new district offices have
been opened at Champhai and Kilasib. Inspite of inadequate infrastructural
facilities in the field of sports and youth services, the Mizo youth
in different national and State level championships, organised during
this year, bagged a number of medals. The proposal of the Department
for infrastructural development projects have been approved by Union
Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sport during his recent visit
to Mizoram. The approved proposals include 100 bedded sport hostel
at Aizawl and Lunglei and special new Games Centre at Lunglei.
(xxxv) Autonomous
District Council: The total final annual plan allocation to the
3 Autonomous District Councils this year is Rs 1763 lakhs. During
1999-2000, the 3 district councils could complete various important
works like 116 RCC water tanks, 64 Rain Water Harvesting Scheme, 55
kms jeep road, 2 kms truck road, improvement and maintenance of inter-village
path, and hill terracing of 25 hectares. Construction of 10 buildings
also completed, 1086 old aged pensioners and 170 handicapped persons
were given financial assistance. And under housing scheme, 1070 shelterless
poor families were given financial assistance.
(xxxvi) Others:
The Taxation Department has expanded their network and opened offices
at Champhai and Kolasib during this year and with the introduction
of local Sales Tax on a few item of notified goods, it is expected
that the revenue collection under this Department will be improved
substantially.
The Excise Department
also continued their efforts to prevent illegal trafficking of drugs
and other contraband items. More than 700 drug traffickers were nabbed
and huge quantities of intoxicating drugs were seized during the last
one year. The Excise Forces have also been posted at Champhai, Serchhip,
Kolasib and Vairengte to enforce the Prohibition Law and the drug
laws.
I am happy to inform
the Honourable Members that the Guest House at Vellore has been inaugurated
in February, 2000 and has become functional, providing much needed
relief to the patients and their attendants from Mizoram. We also
have been allotted a good plot of land by the Government of India
in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi for construction of additional Mizoram
House. Effort is on for securing plot of land at Imphal for construction
of Mizoram House. Necessary steps are also taken to establish Mizoram
Houses in Bangalore and Mumbai.
To relieve heavy work
load at Aizawl Treasury and for the benefit of the public, a new Treasury
at Aizawl was opened during this year and also the Sub-Trasuries at
Mamit and Champhai are also upgraded to full-fledged District Treasuries.
REVISED ESTIMATE FOR
1999-2000
11. The year 1999-2000
was opened with a deficit of Rs 145.44 crores and as per Revised Estimates
the current year is estimated to close with a negative balance of
Rs 245.37 crores. The deficit during the year itself is Rs 99.93 crores.
As I had already mentioned in the beginning, the reasons for this
wide gap are mainly due to Revision of pay and pension of Government
employees, upward revision of wages of casual employees and revision
of salary and other entitlements of the Honourable Members of the
Legislative Assembly.
12. In the past few years
we used to avail the facility of diversion of Plan Fund for meeting
non-plan deficit gap as permissible under the norms set by the Planning
Commission. However, during the current year no such diversion is
made. On the other hand, efforts have been made to reduce non-developmental
expenditure under Non-Plan which have been fulfilled to a certain
extent. But due to additional financial burden stated above, the restriction
imposed under non-plan expenditure and other various economy measures
could not offset the negative balance.
13. As we are all aware,
we are almost entirely dependent on Central Government as our State
own resources is still very minimal. Being a full fledged State, Mizoram
can no longer maintain this trend for long. It is know felt extremely
necessary to strengthen our resource base. As a humble beginning Sale
Tax has been reintroduced and user charges on power and water have
also been raised which will fetch additional income of about Rs 8
crores per year. These measures having been implemented very recently,
the additional resources during the current year will be negligible.
The positive impact of these measures will be felt only from the next
year. Therefore, no new tax measures are proposed in the budget for
2000-2001.
BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR
2000-2001
14. According to the
Budget Estimates for 2000-2001, the estimated opening deficit is to
the order of Rs 245.37 crores which seems unmanageable for a small
State like Mizoram. We may be ware that devolution of funds from Central
Government for the year 2000-2001 will be covered by the recommendation
of the Eleventh Finance Commission. The Eleventh Finance Commission
is expected to submit its reports and recommendation shortly. In the
usual manner, it is expected that the Eleventh Finance Commission
recommendation will provide gap grant and the quan-tum of devolution
under share of taxes will also be increased sufficiently to meet the
additional requirement on salary related expenditure which are incorporated
in the estimated expenditure without any corresponding receipt in
the budget for 2000-2001.
15. At the same time,
the efforts of the State Government for mobilising Additional Resources
will have positive effect to a certain extent on the State finances.
But a small State like Mizoram with a population of not even a million
is not in a position to generate substantial amount to offset the
negative position of the State finances. It is, therefore, imperative
that reduction of non-developmental expenditure and adoption of economy
and austerity measures are ways of improving the position of State
finances.
16. Inspite of the financial
problems, the management of the State Finance has drawn the positive
attention of the Central Government. This resulted in flow of additional
financial assistance from the Central Government for taking up a number
of development schemes outside the Annual Plan like funds-flow from
Non-lapsable Pool of Central Resources, from various Central Sector
Plans and from other Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
17. Therefore, the Annual
Financial Statement 2000-2001 and other budget documents are now laid
before this august House As already started in the beginning, I am
seeking "Vote on Account" for the month of April, 2000 and
I also seek the approval of the Budget for the fiscal year 2000-2001..
18. Sir, I would like
to thank all the Honourable Members of this august House for giving
me patient hearing and before I conclude my speech I would like to
call upon the Honourable Members of bestow their well considered thoughts
on various proposals and programmes made in the next year Budget Estimates
and favour this august House with the benefit of their wisdom, valuable
ideas, experiences and positive advice.
19. With these words,
I commend the Supplementary Demand for 1999-2000, Vote on Account
for April 2000 and the Budget for 2000-2001 for consideration and
approval of this House.
Thank you
