Bhubaneswar: The state government seems undecided on the size and nature of the next budget. Although a final decision on this is yet to be taken, sources indicated that the finance department may plumb for a vote-on-account for initial two months of the coming fiscal rather than going in for a full budget for 2018-19 in February.
Though 90 per cent of the budget preparation is completed, the government, if required, may bring in a vote-on-account for the first two months of the coming fiscal and then present a full budget for the remainder of the fiscal.
In 2016-17 fiscal, the state government had brought a vote-on-account for the initial two months – April and May and then presented a complete budget for the rest of the year.
Speaking to Orissa POST, a senior official of the finance department, on the condition of anonymity, said, “To table a complete budget, the state government needs to know what the Union Budget offers to the state under various heads.”
In the past few years the state government’s experience was that the grant received under certain schemes and programmes from the Centre was less than the actual provision made in the Union budget that leads to a mismatch between provisions of the state budget and that of the Union budget.
“A vote-on-account will help the state government get a clear picture of what it will get from the Central budget before placing the budget for the rest of the year,” he said.
Besides, the finance department also seeks time to examine all 1,930 suggestions on the budget from people and experts.
However, the officer said that the presentation of a vote-on-account may also lead to public criticism which may force the government to give a second thought on it.
“In case a decision is taken to table a complete budget, the presentation may get slightly delayed,” he said.
Though officially not notified yet, the officer revealed that the state government planned to present its budget February 21. “However, if the government intends to present a full budget it may reschedule the date,” he added. The Union budget was presented February 1. However, there is no clarity over the Central grants and the state’s share under various heads and schemes in the budget even after 48 hours of its presentation. The Chief Minister, however, will take a final call on the shape of the next state budget, the officer added.
PNN
