Bhopal: The supplementary budget was passed by the state assembly on January 10 but the departments have not been allotted funds. MP government had brought a supplementary budget of Rs 22,000 crore in assembly’s winter-session. The supplementary budget was passed without debate but the fund allotted to the departments has not been received.
The departments generally get fund after the passing of supplementary budget. The departments, which were allotted funds through supplementary budget, are also developing pressure on the finance department for the release of the fund. Sources said the supplementary budget may have been passed but there was shortage of fund for allotment to the departments. The departments are to be allotted a big amount of money but the state exchequer is empty.
The government recently took loan of Rs 1000 crore. An officer posted at finance department said appropriation bill was passed after supplementary budget. The bill has gone for signature of governor Anandi Ben Patel. The governor will come to the state capital on January 22 after which the bill would be signed, followed by allotment of funds to the departments. A provision of fund of Rs 5000 crore for farm loan waiver has been made in supplementary budget.
A big portion of money has been allotted to departments of urban development and housing, energy, panchayat and rural development and public works department. The non-allotment of fund, after 10 days of passing of supplementary budget, is affecting the functioning of these departments. Besides payment to contractors, the works scheduled to start are also getting delayed in the departments. On the other hand, the officers maintain that delay in signature of governor on the bill is merely an excuse and the truth is that finance department lacks funds to allot to the departments.