The State government is gearing up to introduce a ‘zero-based budget’ from the next financial year, rather than opting for incremental allocations to departments,to take the fruits of welfare to the grassroots level.
Indicating that the government wants reforms in expenditure, the Finance Department has made it clear that allocations would forthwith be made on a quarterly basis, subject to submission of utilisation certificates. The decision came in the light of the “tight fiscal situation” faced by the State which started off with a deficit budget of over Rs. 16,000 crore.
“The revenue situation remains tight and several programmes need to be implemented. The gap in resources needs to be bridged and this will be possible only when the efficiency improves,” Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said, while addressing a pre-budget meeting here on Wednesday, in which secretaries, heads of departments, Collectors and SPs participated.
He said that the government was focussing on scrutinising the schemes under implementation and would release funds after analysing the results achieved by each department.
“There is no scope for significant increase in revenues , as the government is not keen on imposing new taxes . Efforts are on to introduce a tax free budget as far as possible,” he said.
There is no scope for significant increase in revenues, as the govt. is not keen on imposing new taxes. Efforts are on to introduce a tax free budget
Yanamala Ramakrishnudu,Finance Minister
