Government of Mizoram
Budget Speech: 2001-2002
By Pu Zoramthanga
Chief Minister
Mr. Speaker Sir,
I rise with your permission, to present before this
august House the Supplementary Demands for 2000-2001, vote on Account
for one month, for the month April, 2001 and the Budget Estimates
form 2001-2002.
2. The Honourable Members are aware that I had presented
the budget for the year 2000-2001 on 21st March, 2000 and
the House considered and passed the same though the amount of the
Annual Plan had not been finalized by the Central Government at that
time. Nevertheless, you have permitted me to provide the Sate annual
Plan at the level of the previous year Plan allocation. The Planning
Commission finalized the annual Plan for 2000-2001 only on 14th
September, 2000 with an amount of Rs. 401.26 crore. As I had already
stated in my last Budget Speech that any additional amount over and
above the Annual Plan allocation for the year would be brought before
this august House at the appropriate time for obtaining Supplementary
Grants. Accordingly, I am to seek the approval of the House for the
Supplementary Demands for the Annual Plan 2000-2001.
3. Unlike the previous year. The Planning Commission
fortunately initiated the discussions of the States Annual Plan proposals
for the year 2001-2002 early which enable the States Government to
incorporate the finalized Annual Plan allocation in the budget. The
Annual Plan for the State of Mizoram for 2001-2002 was thus finalized
on 7th February, 2001 and fixed at Rs. 410 crore. In absence
of any allocation for works under Centrally Sponsored Schemes and
Central Plan Schemes at this stage only token provisions are provided
in the budget for 2001-2002. the actual sanctioned amounts under Centrally
Sponsored Schemes, Central Plan Schemes and Schemes covered by funds
from Non-lapsable Pool of central Resources in the course of the year
will be regularized through Supplementary Grants in due course.
4. The Honourable Mmembers are aware that the Government
of Mizoram has all along been facing financial constraints and that
we have been trying to solve the problems not only by seeking assistance
from Central Government but also by our own efforts. I am happy to
say that the Peace Bonus for Mizoram amounting to Rs. 182.45 crore
has already been released by Central Government. In fact, an amount
of rs. 10 crore released during the last week of March, 2000 in the
form of extended Ways and Menas Advance to tide over the crucial financial
position of the State was subsequently converted into one-time Non-Plan
grant as Peace Bonus. The balance amount of Rs. 82.45 crore for clearing
some of the accumulated liabilities of the State Government was released
in May, 2001.
5. This Peace Bonus has relieved the State of its
financial burden to a great extent and also reduced the State’s fiscal
deficit. Whereas the original estimated opening deficit in the budget
for 2000-2001 was Rs. 245.37 crore, the release of Peace Bonus supplementary
by State’s own efforts had narrowed down the opening deficit gap to
Rs. 44.99 crore. As I had already informed the House in my last Budget
Speech, apart from the one-time Non-Plan grant of Peace Bonus of Rs.
182.45 crore, allocation of rs. 50 crore every year from the Non-lapsable
Pool of Central Resources for a period of 5 years for specific infrastructure
development schemes in Mizoram has now been substantially translated
into reality. The various Departments of the State Government had
prepared and submitted projects to be covered under Non-lapsable Pool
of Central Resources which will gradually be increased.
6. You will be happy to learn that a number of schemes
have already been approved and sanctioned to be funded from the Non-lapsable
Pool of Central Resources. Apart from funds released for on going
projects which I had already mentioned in my Budget Speech. Central
Government has so fare released during this year Rs. 5 crore for Champhai
Greater Water Supply Schemes, Rs. 1 croree for Bamboo Processing Industry,
Rs. 10 crore for Improvement of Sub-transmission and Distribution
Network in Aizawl City. Rs. 5 croree form construction and Distribution
Network in Aizawl city, Rs. 5 crore for construction of market buildings
at Aizawl and Lunglei, Rs. 10.72 crore for construction and renovation
of elementary school buildings. Therefore, and amount of Rs. 55.52
crore is provided in the Revised Budget Estimates for 2000-2001 for
implementation of the on-going as well as newly sanctioned projects
under Non-lapsable Pool of Central Resources. Some more projects which
are in the pipeline are also expected to be sanctioned shortly. The
funds thus release for the schemes undertaken from Non-lapsable Pool
of Central Resources are over and above the normal State Annual Plan.
However, in absence of specific allocation for 2001-2002 for schemes
under Non-lapsable Pool of Central Resources at this stage, no provision
could be made now in the Budget Estimates form 2001-2002. it will
bee the responsibility of the State Government to see that funds allotted
and released for schemes covered by Non-lapsable Pool of Central Resources
are utilized for the purpose for which they are sanctioned and I will
seek to get such expenditure regularized by obtaining supplementary
Demands for Grants at the appropriate time.
7. Sir, despite the grant of Peace Bonus by the Central
Government, the State is still facing financial constrint which the
respected Members of this august House are aware, is not an isolated
one. In fact, it is a phenomenon is the whole country. We may perhaps
be aware that the Central Government as well as other States are also
taking various steps for fiscal reform measures. Uou are aware that
the resourxe base of the Mizoram State at this moment staill being
very poor, reduction of avoidable expenditure and tapping of the available
resources are the few options left to us to improve our financial
position and the State’s economy. With these objectives in view, the
Mizoram Fiscal Reforms Committee was constituted. A number of economy
measures have been initiated and the possibility of expanding our
resource base has also already been explored. User charges like water,
electricity, room rent in Government accommodation, bus fares, vehicle
allotment fee realized from Government Officers and various other
fees have been revised upward. Vehicle parking fees will also bee
collected from a number of identified parking areas in Aizawl city
shortly. Schemes have also been initiated from privatization of Government
vehicles, Voluntary Retirement for Drivers and Medical Insurance for
Government employees. I hope the Honourable Members of this august
House will appreciate these initiatives as the implementation of these
schemes will susbstantially improve State’s finances.
8. Let me briefly apprise the Honourable Members
of this august House, the position of the Revised Budget Estimates
for the year 2000-2001 and the Budget Estimates for 2001-2002.
REVISED BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR 2000-2001
9. As already mentioned, the year 2000-2001 commenced
with a deficit of Rs.44.99 crore against the estimated deficit of
Rs.245.37 crore. This notable improvement in the opening deficit is
due to grant of Peace Bonus and improvement in management of the State
finances. However, due to various increases in Government expenditure
specially in Non-Plan sector without sufficient corresponding increase
in income, it is not possible to maintain the same level of opening
deficit for the closing of the current financial year. The Revised
Budget Estimates for 2000-2001 envisage closing deficit in the order
of Rs.146.99 crore. The total estimate for Revised Budget expenditure
under the consolidated fund of the State is Rs.1311.01 crore. Therefore,
I am now seeking Supplementary Demands for Grants to the tune
of Rs.419.09 crore out of which Rs.92.87 crore is by way of adjustment
of the existing budget provision which is not additive. Therefore,
the actual additionality beyond the existing budget provision in the
Supplementary Demands for Grants for 200-2001 is Rs.326.22 crore.
BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR 2001-2002
10. The total Budget Estimates for disbursement under
the consolidated fund of the State during the year 2001-2002 is Rs.1147.91
crore which is more by Rs.163.12 crore over the Budget Estimates of
2000-2001. The Budget Estimates for 2001-2002 envisages closing deficit
of Rs.148.59 crore.
11. I have a pleasure to inform the Honourable Members
that the efforts made by the State Government in financial management
has bagged positive comment from the Planning Commission. In fact,
the Planning Commission mentioned that the realization of the aggregate
Plan resources of Mizoram has been commendable in comparison with
other North Eastern States. The improvement in fiscal management of
the State has thus undoubtedly evoked the positive attitude of the
Central Government and is instrumental in bringing quite substantial
amount of additional fund for various developmental schemes outside
the Annual Plan.
12. I would like to inform the Honourable Members
that this Government is vigorously pursuing the set priorities towards
achieving self-sufficiency in food, accelerating the pace of developmental
activities, creating opportunities for gainful employment, solution
of social problems and promotion of Trade and Commerce. It will be
the continuous endeavour of all Government Departments and other agencies
to achieve their respective assigned goals towards these activities.
13. I may, with your permission, now give a brief
account of some of the performances and programmers of the Departments
for 2000-2001 and 2001-2002.
(i) Agriculture Department: -
(a) During 2000-2001, the Department has taken up
144 hectares of Land Development under Wet Rice Cultivation by manual
and 200 hectares of land by mechanization. 200 hectares of land development
of hill slope by terracing will also be completed. Under Minor Irrigation,
26 Projects with a command area of 1042 hectares and Irrigation potential
of 2229 hectares under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme. 10
projects with a command area of 525 hectares under National Bank for
Agricultural and Rural Development loan are under implementation.
(b) During 2001-2002, a pilot project for mechanization
for replacement of Draft Animals by establishing a community &
nursery for IR – 64 variety of rice to cover an area of 40 hectares
will be taken up at Tuichhuahen Village. Under Minor Irrigation, a
Command Area Project to cover 1361 hectares of wet rice cultivation
areas within the 40 completed Minor Irrigation Project will be taken
up. To promote and popularize mechanization, farm machineries will
be supplied to t he farmers at a subsidized cost.
(ii) Horticulture Department: -
(a) Under Area Expansion Programme, the Department
has given emphasis on production of fruit crops of high market value
like Passion fruit, Hatkora and Banana. Arrangement has been made
for providing low interest loan to a large number of rural farmers
for procurement of quality ginger seeds with an objective to enable
them earn higher income through such ginger cultivation.
(b) During 2001-2002, the Area Expansion Programme
will continue. It is proposed to cover 2000 hectares of land under
passion fruit cultivation, 200 hectares of land under orange cultivation,
500 hectares of land under banana cultivation, 150 hectares of land
under hatkora cultivation and 80 hectares of land under grape cultivation.
Under Plantation Cultivation, 300 hectares of land will be covered
under Arecanut cultivation. Under vegetable development, 200 tones
of potato seed tubers for production of fresh potato in the potential
areas and under floriculture development Gladiolus and Lilium cultivation
will be taken up.
(iii) Power & Electricity Department:
(a) The Departmnet has made good progress in Rural
Electrification, 687 villages out of 698 villages constituting more
than 98% of villages have been electrified under Rural Electrification
Programme. Schemes for renovation and modernization of diesel generating
stations at Tuirivang, Khawiva, Serlui ‘A’ and Tuipui are under active
consideration for increase of power generation.
(b) Small Hydel Projects like 3 MW at Tuipang and
3 MW at Kau-Tlabung are expected to be commissioned shortly. 132/33
KV Sub-Station at Luangmual to receive more power by 12.5 MVA has
been commissioned. Construction of 132 KV transmission lines from
Saitual to Darlawn, Kolasib to Tuirial, Khawzawl to Ngopa, Khawzawl
to East Lungdar, Khawzawl to Champhai and Lawngtlai to Tuipang covering
a distance of 280 kms are under progress.
(c) During 2001-2002, the department will take up
new sub-station schemes like 220 KV Sub-Station at Aizawl and Melriat,
12.5 MVA, 132/66 KV Sub-Station at Kolasib, 33/11 Sub-Station at Mualpui,
Aizawl West and Aizawl Power House. Rs.10 crore is already sanctioned
from Non Lapsable Pool of Central Resources for taking up improvement
of Sub-Transmission and Distribution network at Aizawl city. For improvement
of revenue, a metering scheme worth of Rs.1302.90 lakh have been submitted
to the Power Finance Corporation for sanction of loan.
(d) Construction of 12 MW Serlui ‘B’ Hydel Project
will be started and Environmental and Forest clearance for 80 MW Bairabi
Hydel Project is also expected. The Department is vigorously pursuing
a project for setting up of 20 MW. Heavy furnace Oil-Based Thermal
Generating Plant at Bairabi for which environmental clearance is awaited.
(iv) Industry Department: -
(a) The Department has taken up construction of ring
and net work of internal roads for establishment of Industrial Growth
Centre at Luangmual. For Exports Promotion Industrial Park, 600 acres
of land at Lengte is already selected and preparation of Detailed
Project Report has been completed. In the field of Information Technology,
Pilot projects of Community Information Centre were set up at Thingsulthliah
and Aibawk Rural Development Blocks. A project for manufacture of
Bamboo board at Sairang has been started. Under development of Tea
industries, 325 families at Biate and 142 families at Ngopa were adopted
as small Tea growers. Under Mines and Minerals, Geo-Technical Investigation
of the sites for State Referral Hospital at Falkawn and Dam sites
for irrigation purposes at various places were carried out. Survey
of clay deposit in Chhimtuipui District was also carried out.
(b)During 2001-2002, construction of Industrial Growth
Centre at Luangmual and setting up of Bamboo Processing Industry at
Sairang will be continued. The project for setting up of Export Promotion
Industril Park at Lengte will also be pursued with the Ministry of
Commerce, Government of India. Establishment of Community Information
Centre at 5 more Rural Development Blocks will be started. Computerization
of selected Government offices is to be started shortly.
(v) Public Health Engineering Department:
-
(a) The Department aims at providing sufficient safe
drinking water supply with sanitation facilities for improving overall
public health in the State. Under Rural Water Supply Programme, 911
habitations have been identified, out of which 588 habitations are
partially covered and 323 habitations are fully covered. In the current
year, 200 habitations are being covered with various types of water
supply like piped water supply, Hand pump, submersible pump, Rainwater
harvesting and improvement of village spring sources.
(b) Under urban Water Supply, 22 numbers of Urban
towns have been identified, out of which water supply programme in
7 towns have been completed. In the current year, Composite Water
Supply Scheme at Kawnpui, Khawzawl and Bilkhawthlir are in progress.
Under accelerated water supply programme, Darlawn Water Supply Scheme
was commissioned and Water Supply Scheme for Saitual, Sairang and
Thenzawl are in progress. Greater Aizawl Water Supply Scheme Phase-II
is in progress and Greater Champhai Water Supply Scheme under Non-lapsable
Pool of Central Resources has already started.
(VI) Health and Family Welfare Department:
-
(a) Under Minimum Need Programme, the Department
has taken up construction of 30-bedded community Health Centre at
Sakawrdai, Mamit and Thenzawl which will be completed and commissioned
during the current year. Construction of 10-bedded Public Health Centre
at Khawruhlian, North East Khawdungsei and Rawpuichhip have been completed.
(b) Under Hospital programme, construction of 200
bedded Civil Hospital at Lunglei is in good progress and expansion
of Serchhip Hospital into 50-bedded capacity is also nearly completed.
(c) With the financial assistance from National Bank
for Agricultural and Rural Development Loan, it is proposed to install
C.T.Scan and Medical Pipe Gases System at Aizawl Civil Hospital.
(d) Construction work of State Referral Hospital
at Falkawn under Non-lapsable Pool of Central Resources is also in
good progress.
(e) During 2001-2002, the Department proposes to
take up establishment of Primary Health Centre at Kanhmun, upgradation
of 10-bedded Primary Health Centre at Khawzawl into 30-bedded Community
Health Centre building will be completed. Construction of Community
Health Centres at Thenzawl and Mamit are proposed to be completed
and construction of Primary Health Centre building at Pangzawl, Phullen
, Bungtlang ‘S’ and West Phaileng will also be continued.
(f) Under Hospital Programme, construction of 200-bedded
Hospital at Lunglei will be completed and construction of Out Patient
Department building at Aizawl Civil Hospital and expansion of Saiha
Hospital into 100-bedded will also be started.
(vi) Public Work Department: - (a) During the current
financial year, the Department will completed formation cutting of
65.79 km. and improvement and widening of 90.92 km. under Roads and
Bridges. Under Externally Aided Project it is expected to finalise
the Details Project Report for construction of 100 kms. from Aizawl
to Lunglei road upto Buangpui. Under Public works Building, construction,
renovation, furnishing and repair of 41 buildings will be completed
and under Government Housing, construction, renovation and repairs
of 38 numbers of various Department buildings will be completed. Construction
of New State Capital Project and Raj Bhavan at Khatla under Special
Problem Scheme of Eleventh Finance Commission award have also been
started and are in good progress.
(b) During 2001-2001, the Department proposes to
take up formation cutting of 51.80 km. and improvement and widening
of 121 km. under Road and Bridges. Under Public Works buildings, construction
of New Mizoram House at New Delhi will be started and purchase of
land for Mizoram House at Guwahati and Imphal will also be taken up.
Besides these, the on-going work of Referral Hospital at Falkawn and
construction of New Capital project and Raj Bhavan at Khatla will
be continued.
(vii) Food & Civil Supply Department: - (a) During
the current year, the Department has appointed 3 New Liquid Petroleum
Gas Agent and also extended distribution points at 17 villages. The
Department has taken up construction of Godowns at Khuangleng, Kanghmun
and Sialsuk and construction of staff quarter at Khawzawl, Dungtlang,
Marpara, Hnahthial, Tuipang, Tlabung, Tlabung, Saiha, Sangau, Aibawk
and Vaphai.
(b) During 2001-2002, the Department proposes to
take up construction of Godowns at Vaphai, Lungpho, Biate and Rabung
and construction of staff quarters at Saitual, Serchhip, Ngopa, North
Vanlaiphai, Zawlnuam, Haulawng, Khawlian, Phuaibuang, Saiha and Tlabung
and Khawzawl. Under Legal Metrology, verification, periodical inspection,
regulate control of packaged commodities and construction of calibration
centre of Tank lorries in Mizoram will be taken up.
(viii) Social Welfare Department: - (a) During 2000-2001,
the Department has taken up various schemes for the upliftment of
women, children, handicapped and old aged persons. The Department
has given assistance to 3383 physically and mentally handicapped persons
and 10525 old aged persons. 300-bedded De-Addiction-Cum-Rehabilitation
Centre at Sethawn is now fully functioning.
(b) During 2001-2002, establishment of Protective
Home-cum-Reception Centre and Remand Home-cum-Special School will
be taken up in order to implement Immoral Traffic (Prevention Act)
and Juvenile Justice Act. Under PMGY a nutrition programme for pregnant,
lactating mothers, children below 6 years, malnourished children and
adolescent girls will also be continued.
(x) Soil and Water Conservation Department: -
(a) During the current financial year, the Department
has created 70 hectares of land for plantation of Large Cardamom,
Rubber and Arecanut. It has also constructed 20 Nos. of Erosion control
engineering structure and also maintained 424 hectares of cash crop
plantations of Coffee, Rubber and Tea.
(b) During 2001-2002, the Department will take up
400 hectares of Coffee plantations and 400 hectares of Large Cardamom
plantation for providing source of income to the jhumia farmers.
(xi) Transport Department:- (a) Under Road Transport,
improvement of Bus Stations at Aizawl, Khazawl, N.E. Khawdungsei,
Silchar and Vairengte has been taken up. Under acquisition of fleet,
7 bus chassis are under fabrication. A Project Report for construction
of Inter-State-Bus Terminal at Aizawl is under preparation to be funded
by North Eastern Council. Under Motor Vehicle Wing, construction of
District Transport Office at Champhai is already completed and constructions
of District Transport Office at Lunglei, Kolasib and Saiha are in
progress.
(c) During 2001-2002, construction of fencing of
Bus Station at various places will be taken up. Acquisition of 5 Bus
chassis and fabrication will also be undertaken. Under Motor Vehicle
Wing, construction of District Transport Offices and Staff Quarters
at Lunglei, Kolasib and Saiha will also be taken up. It has also been
decided to collect Vehicle parking fees for Additional Resource Mobilisation.
(xii) Tourism Department: - (a) The Department has
made good progress to attract tourist from within the country and
abroad. The Department participated at Tourism and Travel fair at
Calcutta, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, New Delhi and Berlin. It is expected
to receive 30,000 Tourist this year.
(b) During 2001-2002, the Department expects to commission
Tourist Lodges at Khawbung, Berawtlang, Lunglei, Darzo, Sangau and
Tawipui which will provide 34 rooms with 80 beds. To provide more
accommodation for tourist, Tourist Lodge at Berawtlang and a multi-storied
new Tourist Lodge buildings at Chaltlang are being constructed.
(xiii) Local Administration Department:-
(a) During 2000-2001, the Department has completed
5500 running meter of inter-village link road, completed construction
of 13136 running meter of steps and retaining walls at various places.
A composite cash loan are given to 2012 Government employees of various
categories and Public Housing Loan to 556 families.
(b) During 2001-2001, the Department proposes to
construct 7000 running meter of inter-village link road and 14449
running meter of steps and retaining wall at various places.
(xiv) Trade & Commerce Department: -
(a) During 200-2001, the Department completed construction
of Regional office at Lunglei. Concrete steps for constructions of
Regional Office at Champhai has been taken. Management of markets
has been streamlined and garbage disposal system has been improved.
The Department is also actively taking up concrete steps for construction
of necessary infrastructural facilities for the proposed Indo-Bangladesh
Trade at Tlabung and Indo-Myanmar Trade at Zokhawthar.
(b) During 2001-2002, the Department will take up
construction of New Regional Offices at Serchhip, Kolasib and Mamit.
Repairs and renovation of existing dilapidated market buildings at
various localities will also be taken up. Various works connected
with the proposed trade with Bangladesh and with Myanmar will be pursued
vigorously.
(xv) Higher & Technical Education Department:
-
(a) During 200-2001, Zirtiri Women College was converted
into Zirtiri Residential Science College for which construction of
the building has already started.
Constructions of Mizoram Hindi Training College Complex
at Durtlang and College of Teachers Education Building at Republic
Veng under Centrally Sponsored Scheme are in progress.
(b) During 2001-2002, construction of Science Block
at Lunglei Government will be completed. For improvement of technical
education in the State the Department will start implementation of
World Bank Assistance Project under which modernization and computerization
of Mizoram Polytechnic at Lunglei and Women Polytechnic at Aizawl
will be taken up.
(xvi) School Education Department: -
(a) During 200-2001, the Department has given training
to 90 high school teachers in the College of Teachers Education at
Aizawl, 73 Middle School Teachers and 13 Primary School Teachers in
the District Institute of Educational Training at Aizawl and Lunglei.
The Department has taken up constructions and renovations of elementary
school buildings under Non Lapsable Pool of Central Resources.
(b) During 2001-2002, apart from maintaining the
existing infrastructure, the Department proposed to launch a scheme
known as Sarva Shiksa Abhyan and a Pre-project Proposal for 4 Districts
have been submitted to the Government of India. Sanction for assistance
under Non-lapsable Pool of Central Resources for various infrastructure
improvement in the Department is also expected.
(xvii) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department:
-
(a) During 200-2001, the Department has completed
construction of Diary Plant with a capacity of 10,000 litre per day
at Aizawl and another Plant with a capacity of 5000 litre per day
at Lunglei is in progress. The Department has strengthened Poultry
Hatching Scheme at Tanhril and distributed 8923 chicks at subsidized
rate to local farmers. The Department has so far provided 285 Bio-Gas
Plants to Private farmers. The work for development of sustainable
Animal Feed-Based for Pig Production and development for mobilization
of Fodder resources under Non-Lapsable Pool of Central Resources are
in good progress.
(b) During 2001-2002, the Department will continue
the work for establishment of Animal Feed Plants with 50 tones per
day capacity of Ramrikawn and Piggery Village at Kawlkulh. The Department
will also take up establishment of animal grazing grounds at different
places.
