In Dr. Thomas Isaac’s budget this year, setting aside all the controversies, one can see some interesting directions. One of these is the proposal to use funds outside of the Plan through KIIFB for development, which is a good thing because you have constraints in mobilising funds within the government set up. But this should not be done sidelining the planning process or the State Planning Board which, I think, is happening to some extent now. Also, the government is certain to face some major challenges in implementation of the big projects as it does not currently have the capacity to take up such huge tasks. Secondly, these projects will have to be implemented using the existing government mechanism and officers who will have to think out of the box. The raid on the KIIFB office recently and the kind of problems that the government and the bureaucracy has down the line could prove a constraint there. The government will need to do something to build the confidence of the bureaucracy and tell them that, as long as there is no corruption, we will not allow Vigilance or others to come after you just because you have taken some wrong decision. The way the budget has sought to address disabilities is also significant. There is a 35% increase in outlay there, which is a big thing. We should remember that in the healthcare sector, some of the programmes announced last year have not taken off. Some positive announcements have been made this year as well, but everything would depend on how they are implemented. The government would also face a big challenge in carrying out the proposal to recruit 5,000 plus doctors and healthcare professionals within a short time frame given the kind of recruitment system we have. But the intent is very good. Generally, the intent in the area of education, healthcare and social justice is laudable.
The major infrastructure projects envisaged in the budget would have a salutary impact on the local economies. Similarly, upgrading of schools will have an impact on the local economies and at the same time create better education facilities for children. The government should ensure that the proposal to recruit 2,500 teachers does not end up in massive corruption. In the area of IT, substantive amounts have been provided for technoparks and the Inforpark, but one will have to see how these are utilised.
I personally think that demonetisation has not had any impact on implemnetation of the Plan, where the slippages has more to do with absence of proper monitoring. In fact, I believe that demonetisation will help mobilisation of funds for projects proposed to be implemented through KIIFB.
The key issuse there is that you must have good projects.
Their size or the financial challenge does not matter if you have the necessary conviction. It is always better to do things now rather than five years from now.
G. Vijayaraghavan is former member, State Planning Board
