INDIA. Mumbai: In violation of statutory norms, the BJP-Shinde Govt in Maharashtra tabled the supplementary demands of a whopping Rs 25,800 Crore on the first day of the Monsoon session of the State Legislature which began in Mumbai on Wednesday.
When the amount authorised by the State Legislature through the appropriate act for a specific service for the current fiscal year is found to be insufficient for that year, supplementary demands are presented. This grant is presented and passed by the state legislature before the end of the financial year.
The original budget for 2022–2023 was Rs 5.48 lakh crore. Compared to the original budget, supplementary demands to the tune of 4.71 per cent were tabled.
As per rules, supplementary demands to the extent of 5 to 7 % of the original budget are permitted. But this provision has to be utilized till the next annual budget. However, the state government exceeded the limit on the first day itself.
“When the budget for 2022-2023 was presented by the then Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Government, most of the ministers of the present BJP-Shinde Government were part of the MVA Government at that time. This means that while preparing the budget estimates, the expenditure related to the different departments was not taken into consideration,” an NGO Samarthan said.
The supplementary demands for the cooperation and marketing department are: Rs 5,145 crore ( 20 % of the total supplementary demands), the amount for farm loan waiver (under Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Shetkari Kajrmukti Yojana)-Rs 4,700 crore, Public Works Department –Rs 4295 crore( 17 %), Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Highway-Rs 2000 crore and Social Justice and Special Assistance-Rs 2673 crore( 10 %).
Shravan Bal Nivrutti Vetan (pension scheme) and Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Anudan Yojana (aid to destitute people under the age of 65, orphan children, people with disabilities of all types, and so on).Public Health Department-Rs. 2510 crore, Public Health Department-Rs 2259 crore (9 %), (Out of this allocation, Rs 1462 crore will be given to the National Health Mission as the state’s share).
This provision should have been made in the original budget estimates. But it was not done. Home department-Rs 1994 crore( 8 %). Out of this allocation of Rs, 1000 crore, was given to the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) as special assistance.
Municipalities and municipal councils will receive a special grant of Rs 1000 crore. In addition, a provision of additional funds has been made for local self-bodies.
The departments like urban development, public works department, transport and social justice seeking a larger share of supplementary demands are with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The Home department is with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (BJP), Cooperation is with Atul Moreshwar Save (BJP), Public Health Department is with Tanaji Sawant(Shinde faction). Above, 06 departments have cumulatively claimed Rs 18,253 crore( 71 % of the total supplementary demands).
Sources said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, in charge of the Urban Development department, has made additional provisions for his department in keeping with the ensuing elections.
Usually, the debate on supplementary demands takes place in two days. In keeping with the time required for the minister to reply to members’ queries, the discussion takes place on the demands only for 8 to 10 departments.
Eventually, the supplementary demands are passed without much discussion. This is a very serious issue, and the Opposition is required to have control over such transactions.
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