Governor N.N. Vohra held a meeting at Raj Bhavan today to review the to-date status of preparation of Budget for Financial Year 2016-17. The meeting was attended by Shri B.R. Sharma, Chief Secretary, Shri P.K. Tripathi, Principal Secretary to Governor, Shri Navin K. Choudhary, Commissioner, Finance Department.The Governor was informed that the Financial Commissioner, Planning and Development and Commissioner, Finance Department have held extensive discussions with all the Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments regarding the preparation of the Revised Estimates (2015-16) and Budget Estimates (2016-17). Also they have held joint reviews to complete the exercise for segregating the Revenue and Capital components of the Budget Estimates (2016-17), which requirement has arisen with the inception of the new regime after the Planning Commission was replaced by the NITI Aayog. After discussions the Governor asked the Chief Secretary and Finance Secretary to expedite the process of finalising the Budget (2016-17) for its timely approval and also keep the papers ready for securing a Vote on Account in case such contingency arises.
The Governor directed that the Budget (2016-17) be brought up on 1st March, 2016, for a final decision. The Governor directed that Revised Estimates (2015-16) for Capital expenditure be submitted for his immediate approval so that the balance funds could be released to various identified Departments for utilizing the available resources in the remaining two months of Financial Year 2015-16.Raj Bhavan spokesperson recalled that on the Governor’s earlier direction, the balance required funds for meeting the salaries and other revenue components have already been released by the Finance Department.The Governor also directed the Chief Secretary that the process of regularization of eligible daily wagers and those engaged on contractual basis be also expedited for completion by 1-3-16. He directed that no fresh casual/seasonal labourer shall be allowed to be engaged by any Department/State owned PSUs etc.