BUDGET SPEECH- 2013
Sikkim Legislative
Assembly
April 25, 2013
HCM’s
Speech
Hon’ble
Speaker Sir and Hon’ble fellow Members of this August House
I rise to present the Budget for 2013-14. But before I spell out
the details of the future projections, I would like to congratulate
the people of Sikkim for the last fiscal well invested and well spent
to secure greater happiness and well being of all the people of
Sikkim. Cutting across sectors, we improved upon our past performance
both in terms of statistics and the actual impact felt in the life of
the Sikkimese people.
During the last one year, we introduced some very new imaginative
welfare schemes to provide additional relief and support to the
targeted sections of the population. Against the dampened growth
scenario elsewhere, we were able to register an impressive overall
growth rate of 22.8 percent during the 11th Five Year Plan period
including excellent social indicators. In fact, the Planning
Commission Members including the Deputy Chairman who were so
appreciative of this achievement being the highest in the Country,
profusely applauded us for reaching this growth rate which had been
checked again and again by them to be sure. We have been appreciated
also for integrating and dovetailing of certain state programs with
central flagship programs to achieve composite result while providing
rural housing and such other welfare measures.
This itself is a tribute to the people and the official machinery
of the State. Here I am tempted to quote the Planning Commission
(State Plan Division) note for Annual Plan 2013-14 for Sikkim, “The
GSDP of Sikkim was targeted to grow at a compounded rate of 6.7
percent during the 11th Plan. However, it has registered a growth
rate of 22.8 percent at 2004-2005 prices as per CSO. The impressive
growth of Sikkim is attributed to commissioning of power projects,
strengthening of small scale industries- primarily pharmaceutical
industry attracted by cheap power, accessibility to market and
increasing financial services (banking and insurance) during the
Eleventh Plan period”.
I take this opportunity which I consider it as a privilege to
recall in the august House of the recent visit of our President,
respected Shri Pranab Mukherjee ji, who dedicated the Sidheswar Dham
to the entire Country and also laid the foundation stone of the new
Sikkim Central University. The Hon’ble President who had
visited the State in the 1970s was taken aback by the extent of
development that has visited the State ever since. He visited the MG
Marg and was effusive about its splendour and beauty. The blessing of
our Hon’ble President will always be a source of our strength
and guidance.
Little before the Hon’ble President’s visit, His
Holiness the Dalai Lama blessed us with his divine presence while
consecrating the Tathagata Tsal at Ravangla on 25th March 2013 and
also inaugurating the Buddha Park. Here again, His Holiness so kindly
remembered all his visits to Sikkim in the past and put it down in
writing the efforts made by us in promoting this secularism of
spirituality and the respect of Buddhism along with all other
religions as this is the very basis of Buddhism which extends to love
and peace amongst all sentient beings including all kinds of lives.
The visit of His Holiness will also go down as another instance of
the blessings that the people of Sikkim have earned for all of us.
Again, the Second International Flori
show which was organized at the Saramsa Garden in the third week of
February 2013 onwards was another occasion of revelry, displaying our
beautiful orchids and flowers. It was slated to be inaugurated by
Shri Sushilkumar Shinde ji, our Hon’ble Union Home Minister
which was not destined to be, due to weather condition. We were
reminded by the Hon’ble Union Home Minister of our landmark
initiatives like State Green Mission, Ten Minutes to Earth, Organic
Mission which have carved Sikkim’s status in the entire country
as well as in the international floral map when he spoke to me in
telephone from Bagdogra. Surely we would expect the Hon’ble
Union Home Minister to come to Sikkim on another occasion.
A little earlier, in December 2012, IBN7 Media House made us proud
when we were adjudged the best small state in the entire country in
all round performance apart from three specific categories of
Citizens’ Security, Environment, Water & Sanitation. And
now recently on 21st April 2013, Dr Manmohan Singh, the Hon’ble
Prime Minister awarded the Rural Management and Development
Department of the State Government the Nation’s Highest Award
for excellence in rural management and development in the challenging
physical environment of the Sikkim Himalayas. And on this day, 21st
April we re-dedicated and re-committed ourselves to the cause of the
people of State for more extraordinary and innovative work for
further excellence. It may be pointed out that already 16 national
awards have been conferred for rural management and development in
the State so far.
During the last nineteen years, we have seen four Panchayat
elections held so far with the last having been held on 3rd November
2012 when our people exercised their constitutional right to elect
their village level representatives as well as for the Zilla
Panchayat. As expected, the Sikkim Democratic Front party secured 96
percent of the seats. I congratulate my brothers and sisters, Members
of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, to the Chief Secretary, the
Director General of Police, and all other officials and workers for
the support and assistance provided to the State Government for
overall development of the State. It is because of you that Sikkim
has emerged as a model state and a torchbearer in key sectors in the
entire country.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir
The core sectors of education and health have received our topmost
attention. Presently we invest over 20 percent of total annual outlay
for the education sector. And recently, we have decided to earmark
additional 10 percent of the annual outlay to sponsor our educated
Sikkimese for coaching in reputed institutes in IAS and allied
services, banking, defence services etc. This adds up another 10
percent to make it over 30 percent allocation in education sector
alone. The result has been evident as our literacy rate of 56 percent
in 1993-94 has increased to over 82 percent now. It is
worthwhile to note that the male-female student ratio has
considerably improved in the State over the years. The ratio of 100
girls to 100 boys during 2001-02 has improved to 108 girls per 100
boys during 2008-09.
To improve the prospects of higher education in the State a
Central University has already been established in State. To
accommodate all the students aspiring for higher education colleges
at Namchi, Rhenock, Gyalshing and a new campus at Burtuk, East Sikkim
have been established. Because of these efforts of the State
Government, the Gross Enrolment Ratio at Higher Education level has
increased to 24.8% against the national average of 15%, securing 8th
position and 2nd position at national and North East Levels
respectively. The teacher-pupil ratio which was 1:18 in
the year 2005-06 has now further improved to 1:14 in 2011, which is
indicative of the progress we have made in this sector.
In order to improve the quality of education and emphasize
competitiveness among children, the State Government introduced Chief
Minister’s Winter Coaching for students appearing in Class X
and Class XII Board examination.
Under health sector, citizens have access to
free health facilities. We stress on preventive measures. Sikkim was
the first state in the country to provide for free Hepatitis B
vaccination for infant population. Under the Chief Minister’s
Comprehensive Annual and Total Check-up for Healthy Sikkim (CATCH)
program, we undertake health check-up for each citizen annually at
designated centres across the State. Launched on 26th August 2010, we
have covered over 90 percent of our population under this program to
compile the health profile of our citizens.
The multi-specialty 575-bedded Hospital is
under construction in Gangtok. I am happy to note that the overall
life expectancy of the Sikkimese people have increased by over 3
years during the last eighteen years. In all health indices, we have
achieved impressive improvement be it IMR rate, TB cure rate,
institutional delivery etc. We have introduced Mukhya Mantri Antodaya
Upachar Bima Yojana for BPL families and host of other health
services including Mukhya Mantri Antyodayta Pustahaar Yojana, Mukhya
Mantri Jeevan Raksha Kosh, Mukhya Mantri Netra Jyoti Yojana and
Mukhya Mantri Sravan Shakti Samriddhi Yojana. Health programs
including Deworming and IFA supplementation, calcium Supplementation,
MMR vaccine for children are being regularly administered in the
State.
As part of policy decision to harness our natural resources, hydel
power generation has been given massive impetus duly opening up the
sector for private-public participation. You are aware that we are
developing a number of hydel projects in the State.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir
I am happy to announce that we are commissioning the
99 MW Chuzachen Hydro Electric Power Project in the next few months
which is slated to fetch us about Rs. 50 crores annually. This is, in
addition to the already commissioned 510 MW Teesta Stage V and 60 MW
Rangit Hydro-power project. We believe that this is a good beginning
and there are lot to follow. We are watching its progress along with
other upcoming projects which are likely to be commissioned as
scheduled. Once commissioned, the 1200 MW Teesta Stage III project
will be the largest power projects to be commissioned in the Country
under the PPP mode.
Our initial target was to commission all the allotted hydel
projects by the end of 2015 earning annual revenue of over Rs. 1500
crores. Owing to natural calamity and other unavoidable
circumstances, we have re-assessed the annual turnover from sale of
power at Rs. 900 crores by the end of the 12th Five Year Plan.
Concerns relating to T&D loss and AT & C losses will need to
be addressed duly strengthening the existing system and laying of
additional high capacity transmission line.
In Sikkim, Tourism is one of the largest service industries. We
can see that we are moving on the right directions with our people
taking deep interest in setting up village tourism, homestay tourism
together with pilgrimage tourism. It is very much fore-seeable now
that soon we should be going right on top in promoting tourism as the
main livelihood option for the people of Sikkim.
Various projects have been initiated during the 11th Plan period
which have been carried over to the 12th Plan period. We have
recently opened Buddha Park for public darshan. Construction of
various tourist attractions are being taken up, this include Statue
of Chen regiz, stairway to heaven project, skywalk project and
ropeways in different places.
During the 12th Five Year Plan, the State Government has envisaged
to further increase tourist footfall and also augment the carrying
capacity of the State. In order to achieve this, the State Government
will need to lay greater emphasis on promoting responsible tourism,
aggressive publicity, creation of requisite tourism infrastructure
and capacity building of all the stake holders.
Annual contribution forthcoming from the agriculture sector to the
GSDP growth need to be further boosted. In fact, over the decades,
the percentage is falling which need to be looked into critically as
more than 60 percent of our population consisting of small and
marginal farmers depend on agriculture and animal husbandry for their
livelihood.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir
Land being a premium in the State, organic farming would greatly
supplement the economy of the state with production of high value
produce. The State has registered 2 percent increase in the
productivity of land. Till date, 11228 ha area is organically
certified. Around 39000 ha area is under conversion process for
organic certification. Over 700 numbers of rural compost are being
constructed in rural areas.
Under Soil Reclamation program, a total of 7000 hectare has been
reclaimed and a total of 48 projects in agriculture & allied
sector has been taken up and completed under the Rashtriya Krishi
Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
The State being blessed with congenial climate provides ample
opportunities for horticulture production and its diversifications.
This sector has vast potential and has evolved as one of the main
drivers of rural economy. Horticulture covers a range of produces of
Sikkim including mandarin orange, pear, tropical and sub-tropical
fruits like papaya, banana and litchi. Vegetables includes different
types of beans, pea, leaf mustard, radish, squash, cabbage,
cauliflower, tomato and gourds; root and tuber crops like potato,
tapioca, sweet-potato and yams; spice consists of large cardamom,
ginger, turmeric and cherry pepper; flowers includes cymbidium
orchids, rose, lilium, gladioli, anthurium, lily, carnation and
gerbera. Sikkim is also treasure house of medicinal and aromatic
plants which are now cultivated on larger scale for commercial
purpose. With the setting up of number of pharma units in Sikkim,
commercial cultivation of medicinal plants and herbs is very
promising.
It is due to the concerted efforts of the government that has
resulted in the over 3.5 per cent increase in forest cover between
1995 and 2011. Sikkim ranks highest in Forest Protection Index among
all states in India. Sikkim stands on top in Environment
Sustainability Index on two categories, i.e. Reducing Pressure on
environment and State Responses to maintain environment. Many of the
environmental measures including imposition of blanket bans and
prohibition on grazing, felling of trees, killing of wildlife etc.
are the first of their kinds in the country and the world. We have
created a large number of sanctuaries, green parks, herbal garden,
biodiversity parks, butterfly parks and etc.
Defined under the larger Mission statements, the State Government
has successfully tried to protect and enlarge the different species
of flora and fauna found in the Sikkim Himalayas. Campaign under
Smriti Ban, Green Mission and Ten Minutes to Earth launched during
the last one and half decade, has started bearing fruit in the State.
As a landlocked State, Sikkim is heavily dependent on its road
infrastructure for practically all purposes. The State Government has
made remarkable progress in the connectivity sector during the past
19 years.
As of today, re-surfacing/re-carpeting of 383.00 Kms of road has
been completed which is 65% of the targeted length. Surfacing works
for remaining roads is under progress. Rehabilitation/retrofitting of
nine (9) bridges have been completed and sixteen (16) bridges are
under progress.
My Government has also taken initiatives for Two Lane Connectivity
to District Head Quarters. The District Head Quarters at Namchi shall
be connected with Double Lane Road from Singtam via Tarku-Damthang
and from Melli Bazar via Manpur and Jorethang. The District Head
Quarter at Gyalshing shall be connected with Double Lane Road from
Singtam via Ravangla and Legship and from Melli via Jorethang and
Legship. The work of double-laning of Melli-Manpur-Namchi and
Manpur-Jorethang-Namchi have already been sanctioned under SARDP-NE
by the Government of India. In fact, the Union Minister of Road
Transport and Highways Dr C.P. Joshi who was to arrive on April 20
recently for laying the foundation stones could not visit due to
sudden engagement in Delhi and has postponed his visit. We have been
told that more roads for double-laning and construction of two more
roads are in active consideration of the Government of India for
sanction.
During my 42 days tour, 47 numbers of road had been sanctioned
with a total estimated cost of Rs. 114.18 crores in the 1st phase,
out of which five roads have been completed and the rest are under
rapid progress.
Construction of Greenfield Airport at Pakyong shall be completed
for usual traffic by next year and we have requested the central
government to treat our railway project as national project for
speedy completion upto Rangpo town in the first phase and later to be
extended upto Nathula.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir
In the true spirit of the concept of welfare state, the State
Government has introduced large number of welfare schemes to enable
people live a life of dignity and respect. Due care is given to
extend adequate assistance to the vulnerable and marginalized section
of the society. Monthly old age pension of upto Rs. 1000/-, Samajik
Sewa Bhatta, Disability Pension, Window Remarriage grant, subsistence
allowance etc. are being provided to the people. Re-naming of schools
and state roads after great achievers has provided due recognition to
our heroes and also great encouragement to posterity. In fact, this
has to be seen in the context of past practices where such initiative
was not forthcoming from the then government.
Our strategy has been consistently based on integrated approach to
our development measures through intra-sectoral synergy and
appropriate service delivery at different levels. We propose to focus
on knowledge management duly channelizing youth powers to
constructive activities, provide effective and accountable
governance, harnessing of the State’s natural resources for
sustainable livelihoods, expanding and strengthening of
infrastructure base and capacity building of different stakeholders.
In addition to augmenting investments, we propose to undertake policy
and institutional reforms to create an enabling environment for rapid
growth.
Before I begin to present annual budget for the next financial
year, I would use this privilege to spell out some of the new schemes
with particular emphasis on youth management, promoting innovation
among students and empowering our farming community through policy
infusion and make the next fiscal, all the more productive,
progressive and promising.
State Organic Mission & price support: The State Government
has successfully overcome the initial uncertainty with regard to the
concept of organic farming. Conversion and certification of land and
market linkages for our organic produce is progressing well. We have
already received due recognition from national and international
community for our innovative work. To further promote organic farming
and fulfil our organic mission, I am pleased to earmark a sum of Rs.
6 crores which shall be complemented through other sources including
dovetailing of National Horticulture Technology Mission towards
meeting the objective.
In order that our farming community are encouraged further,
certain component of resources shall be earmarked as minimum price
support. Therefore, I am pleased to allocate a cumulative sum of Rs.
75 lakhs for sustaining farming practices under agriculture and
horticulture sector.
Distribution of Cymbidium Orchids: The State Government is moving
ahead with an ambitious program to transform Sikkim into floriculture
state. Much progress has been made over the decade to promote
floriculture as a commercially viable vocation. In order to further
promote floriculture, I am pleased to earmark a sum of Rs. 3.40
crores for distribution of cymbidium orchids during the next fiscal.
Induction of cows/goats: In the area of animal husbandry, Sikkim
has a potential to at least fulfil the domestic demand and also
extend business upto the neighbouring districts of West Bengal. In
milk production and poultry, we have made much headway. To further
consolidate the gain, the State Government is aiming to attain self
sufficiency in production of meat and milk locally. Therefore, I am
pleased to allocate a sum of Rs. 1.5 crores for distribution of
milching cows and goats to the targeted beneficiaries in the State
during this fiscal.
Construction of Head Office & Training Institute: Cooperative
movement in Sikkim has already gained much momentum. This has been
made possible through appropriate policy intervention by the State
Government and ensuring larger involvement of the people at the
grassroot level. In order to further promote cooperative movement, I
am pleased to allocate a sum of Rs. 3 crores for construction of Head
Office and Training Institute at Assam Lingzey in the next fiscal.
Janata Mela: From time to time, the Sikkim Democratic Front
Government has evolved certain innovative schemes to uplift the
living condition of our people. Through some very imaginative
programs, we have been able to reach out to the doorsteps of the
people, through an intimate appraisal of their needs and requirements
at the very local level. Although housing is covered under larger
state programs, we need to take into account the process of wear and
tear over the years making rural households unfit for habitation.
Therefore, in this budget I have proposed distribution of GCI sheets
and House Upgradation grant for the poor households. Distribution of
LPG connection to the BPL households has been adversely affected by
erratic supply and at times due to lack of easy accessibility to
particular village or hamlets. Therefore, I have also proposed
distribution of Electric Chullah to poor households so that
difficulty in LPG refilling does not affect daily activities among
the poor people. Therefore, in order to further consolidate our
achievement in the field of rural upliftment, I am pleased to
allocate a cumulative sum of Rs. 40 crores for distribution of above
items by holding special meet under the popular banner of Janata
Mela.
Sikkim Business Summit: Through a long process of meetings and
Seminars within the State, across cities in the Country and outside
the Country, the State Government has been able to attract large
number of reputed business houses in Sikkim. Today, we have the
presence of reputed entrepreneurs engaged in different business
ranging from agro-based industries to pharma to hydro-power projects.
As part of promotion of business activities under the private-public
partnership, we have one of the best examples in the Country. In
order that we further promote Sikkim as an important business
destination, we propose to hold Sikkim Business Summit with world
wide participation with the best names in the industry. For the
proposed meet in coming May, I am pleased to earmark a sum of Rs. 25
lakhs.
Border Security Project: With the advent of technology age,
miscreant and anti-social elements are inventing improved mode of
operation. Security apparatus in the border towns of Melli and Rangpo
needed to be further modernized for early detection and action to
determine all nefarious activities well in advance. Therefore, I
would propose installation of appropriate technological tools at the
border gate and its vicinity. For this, I am pleased to propose a sum
of Rs. 20 lakhs during 2013-14.
Tourism project: Tourism and eco-tourism has emerged as one
of the main economic instruments of the people of Sikkim. In addition
to the beautiful setting of Sikkim Himalayas, we have vigorously
promoted all arms of tourism including pilgrimage tourism, village
tourism, homestays and etc, thereby earn good revenue for the State.
In order to further strengthen the concept of tourism in Sikkim, the
State Government has proposed installation of Namchi Samdruptse
Ropeway, expansion of Buddhist circuit to integrate Sarnath and
Buddhgaya and strengthen pilgrimage and culture centre at Ravangla.
Food subsidy: In terms of food security, the State Government has
decided to further subsidize distribution of free rice to BPL
category of people from Rs. 3 per kilo to Rs 1 and from Rs 4 per kilo
to Rs. 2 per kilo under the Mukhya Mantri Khadya Suraksha Abhiyan.
The basic objective for providing further subsidy is to relieve the
burden on our poor BPL families as we do not want them to go hungry.
Laptops for school children: By common consensus, we can
conclude that modern day education is made all the more accessible
and easy through various technological inductions. We have observed
that children belonging to well-to-do families can afford to use
technological tools whereas children from weaker section of
population can not afford to have one. Therefore, to help us realize
our dream of quality education, the State Government has proposed to
provide laptops free of cost to school children above Class XI, XII
and college going students based on their requirement. For this, I am
pleased to allocate a sum of Rs. 20 crores during this financial
year.
Development of Sports complex: Sporting activities in Sikkim has
remained our priority wherein many of our sporting youths have earned
name and fame for the State in different categories of sports.
Creation of sporting
infrastructure has been quite steady in Sikkim and with
development of Paljor Stadium as the world class complex, we have
come of age in sports sector. To further consolidate our
achievements, I am pleased to allocate a sum of Rs. 3 crores, Rs. 2
crores and Rs. 1 crore respectively for development of Bhaichung
Stadium at Namchi, for upgradation of Kyongsa Playground, West Sikkim
and for construction of Play Ground at Mangan.
Development of cultural heritage centres: Sikkim is an ancient
land where culture and tradition of different community of people
intermingle to form a rich tapestry of socio-cultural tradition.
Celebrating the rich cultural legacies of different communities, we
have constructed number of cultural bhawans and installed large
number of statues to honour our past. In the same process, today I
would allocate a sum of Rs. 4 crores, 1 crore, 50 lakhs respectively
for construction of statue of Mahatma Sirijunga Thekyonsi, Stairway
to Heaven and construction of Multi-purpose community centre at Bal
Bir Bau Ground, Pani House. Similarly, I am also pleased to earmark a
sum of Rs. 25 lakhs each for construction of Village Community Centre
at 6th mile Tadong, statute of Punu Mun Solong and Prayer Tower.
Creation of public spaces under UDHD: You are aware that through
creation of a range of urban infrastructure, we are not only creating
enough public recreational space but at the same time promoting urban
tourism vigorously over the years. Development and upgradtion of MG
Marg has been widely hailed as the unique development model across
the Country. In addition to beautification, expansion and upgradation
of the identified bazaars and urban habitation across the State, we
are also creating parking spaces, kisan bazaars and other public
spaces through micro schemes conceived at the local level. The idea
is to locate or re-locate facilities at the appropriate locations
across towns. The construction of Green Lung Park at Jorethang at the
heart of town is also going to be unique location in the State.
Samaj Kalyan Bhawan: With the unfolding of new age with fresh
generation of people and new emerging values, people on the whole
have lost that social connect. In order to generate enough concern
for the family, society and the state, we propose to construct Samaj
Kalyan Bhawan in the State. For this purpose, I am pleased to
allocate a sum of Rs. 1 crore in this budget.
Data Acquisition System: Sikkim is at the threshold of entering
into a new category of States that are seen as good models to be
emulated due to high growth rate and good governance. However, on
many occasions, our arguments and success stories lost most of their
sheen due to lack of corresponding data. In order to be able to spur
further growth in all areas of human development, the case for
holistic acquisition of data, research and dissemination is being
felt.
Hence, I am setting aside a sum of Rs. 1 crore to achieve this
purpose which will be used to fund the most modern and using cutting
edge technology to acquire data from across the State.
Launching of Missions: Three new Missions namely, Sikkim Human
Resource Development Mission 2013, Sikkim Youth Empowerment and
Self-reliant Mission 2013 and Sikkim Gram Swaraj Abhiyan would be
launched from this year.
Through these Missions, we aim to further empower and enable the
youth of Sikkim, through high quality holistic education, to realize
their full potential and understand their roles and responsibilities
in making meaningful contribution to the development of a prosperous
and happy Sikkim. And as the name signifies, we would aim to achieve
larger goal of transforming our villages as self-sustained units in
the State under the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan. This will be monitor
by the Chief Minister’s Office on a monthly basis with a
Mission Director for each Mission.
Having said that I would like to state that we have devised a
number of other Missions in the past which need to be revamped and
reviewed to make them vibrant for bringing more relief to our people.
I would like to urge upon the Departments and all the officials to do
so.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir,
I shall now dwell on the budgetary profile for the current
financial year. Our size of the Annual Plan has been fixed at Rs.
2060 crores by the Planning commission of India. The total outlay
includes the following components:
Rs. 420 crore - Prime
Minister’s Relief Package (earthquake reconstruction and
rehabilitation).
Rs. 312 crore -
Borrowings as fixed by FRBM Act, 2010.
Rs. 366.27 crore -
Additional Central Assistance (ACA).
Rs. 108 crore -
Special Plan Assistance (SPA).
Rs. 200 crore -
Special Central Assistance (SCA),
Rs. 145 crore -
Externally aided project.
In this budget, I have proposed total amount of Rs. 5516.43 crore
comprising of Rs. 2234.13 crores under Plan which includes
allocations under the dispensation of North Eastern Council,
Non-Lapsable Pool of Central Resources and Centrally Sponsored
Schemes and a provision of Rs. 2964.13 crores under Non-Plan account
and also includes the provisions made as recoveries which are
adjustable as reduction in expenditure, subsequently.
I have projected the gross revenue of Rs. 4995.95 crores and
expenditure to the tune of Rs. 5516.43 crores for the fiscal year
2013-14. The contribution from tax revenue sources to the gross
revenue receipts is of the order of Rs. 425.68 crores and in the case
of Non-Tax revenue the amount is projected at Rs. 1054.52 crores.
I shall now present the highlights of the Budget for the year 2013-14
with a summarized account of the receipts and disbursements
incorporated in the budget:-
A. RECEIPTS.
AMOUNT (Rs. in crore)
1. State’s Revenue
i) Tax Revenue
:
425.68
ii) Non-Tax Revenue
:
1054.52
2. Grants-in-Aid
:
2684.20
3. State’s Share of Shareable Taxes
:
831.55
4. Loans from Other Institutions
:
373.46
5. Loans from Central Government
:
14.50
6. Recoveries of Loans and Advances
: 0.78
7. Public Accounts
:
5481.20
__________
TOTAL :10865.89
/
B. EXPENDITURE.
1. State’s Annual Plan
: 2060.00
2. Expenditure out of incentive
grant : 150.00
3.Centrally Sponsored Schemes
: 318.18
4.Non-Plan Expenditure
: 2835.41
5.Spillover provision of previous year :
21.93
6.Public Accounts
: 5480.40
__________
TOTAL:
: 10865.92
C. Deficit
: 0.03
Opening Balance :
(+) 69.44
Closing Balance :
(+) 69.41
Hon’ble Speaker Sir
The Sikkim Democratic Front government is going to complete 20
years of glorious existence in Sikkim. On this occasion, I am happy
to record that Sikkim in the last nineteen years has emerged as a
leading state in socio-economic
development in the country. This fact is corroborated by the
conferment of more than fifty eighty awards to the State by various
prestigious national and international agencies and government of
India in various fields.
Like other States in the North-Eastern region, Sikkim faces
constraints in accelerating growth and improving the living
conditions of the people at a rapid pace, primarily because of its
landlocked nature, hilly terrain, lack of access to the markets and
poor connectivity. Nonetheless, we have crossed many development
hurdles and establish Sikkim as one of the fastest growing States in
the Country.
In terms of fiscal consolidation, we are treading difficult path
owing to fiscal scenario at the national level. Furthermore, the
implementation of Pay Commission recommendation has impacted the
finances of all the States including that of Sikkim. The salary
burden was Rs. 493 crores in 2007-08 which has increased to Rs. 1,600
crores in 2013-14. Similarly, the pension burden has increased
from Rs. 50.20 crores to Rs. 283.57 crores. This has to be
appreciated by the people of Sikkim and all of us should be cautious
enough and pragmatic while designing development road map for the
future.
For the obvious reasons, Budget 2013 is significant because it is
the last to be tabled before parliamentary elections and assembly
elections due next year at the national level and also at the state
level. It is against the backdrop of slowing global economy,
fiscal deficits, inflation and the widespread chase to make our
economy sustainable and going. Through various measures and based on
scientific and pragmatic consideration, the State Government is
trying to realign with emerging development dynamics and reposition
Sikkim on a firm ground. In all these efforts of ours, I would
solicit unconditional support from my fellow Sikkimese so that we are
collectively responsible to make our State more progressive and
prosperous.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir
Indeed, this is the call of the hour, the need of the day.
Politics and politicking has its place in a democratic system. People
are watching political drama unfold one after the other. The often
repeated cliché of the old wine in new bottle is almost always
played out in Sikkim’s politics. This is likely to happen once
again now.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir
Some say, temperature is apparently getting feverish.
· For sure, in
the days to come, people shall be treated to political hyperbole of
the unprecedented nature and high promises that may or may not be
tenable.
· For sure,
people shall be treated to high drama bazee, where the
so-called leaders old
and the not-so-old will promise you the sun and the moon.
· For sure, once
again the so-called disgruntled leaders suddenly come out of
hibernation will quote Gandhi, as the devils would have quoted the
scriptures.
· For sure, once
again, leaders will resurface to apply worst means whatever or
however so that temptation so often nurtured could be grabbed at that
instant moment
· For sure, once
again, all the leaders past and present shall work out quick formula
to construct alliance that breaks or mends every now and then
I am reminded of the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill who
once said, “You will never reach your destination if you stop
and throw stones at every dog that barks”.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir
Taking full recourse to the constitutional provision and having
full faith in the power of the people, I for sure, will never ever be
distracted by maddening noise to lose my path dedicated to the
service of my people, my State and my Country. With providence by my
side and with supreme faith on the wisdom of the people, I remain
ever the humble first servant of the Sikkimese people- for now, today
and for all time to come.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir
With this, I commend this Budget to the House and seek the
co-operation and support of one and all to lead Sikkim on the path of
progress, where not just a few but all will prosper, grow, flourish
and bear the fruit of good governance as always and as usual.
Thank you
Jai Hind
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