SHILLONG: KHADC chief Pynshngain N Syiem on Monday presented a deficit budget of Rs 18,490 for the fiscal year of 2016-2017 on the first day of summer session.
The total estimated expenditure is Rs 189, 47, 72,150, which is more than the anticipated revenue collection of Rs 189, 47, 53,660.
Presenting the budget, Syiem stated that the Council would find out ways and means to enhance the revenue generation with disciplined spending.
Unhappy over decline in revenue receipts in comparison with previous years, he said, “The grant released by the state government is set aside for the disbursement of salaries of the Enforcement branch and payment for year 2015-16 has not been released.”
It may be noted that the KHADC had earlier passed a vote on account for three months for the expenditure incurred till June 30.
He stated, “The allocation of funds by the State Government is not sufficient and the Council is unaware of the actual collection and share of the Council in terms of major and minor minerals. The Council expected the share to be released at the earliest.”
Syiem informed that the share of revenue of the Council comes from mortgage, minor forest produce, royalty from legal timbers including grants from the State Government, issuing of license fees/labour license fees/ fines, taxes on profession, revenue from toll gate, shares from Elaka and other sources.
“As far as taxes on motor vehicles are concerned, the state government has not released the share of the Council till date. In the year 2015-16, the state government has released the sanctioning order on April 31 which is the third installment for the year 2010-2011 and the first installment for the year 2011-2012, however the amount was defrayed recently and the actual revenue estimates will be done later,” he said.
Speaking on the revenue generation from the Civil Works and development, Syiem pointed out that the Council expects a grant from the state government for financing own plan scheme, schemes for financing of New Nongstoin market complex, the construction of the Council building.
Syiem also felt the need to strengthen the department of the administration of justice as the revenue created from the department has witnessed a rise over the years where revenue is generated from court fees, sale of forms.
Highlights on the expenditure side of the KHADC includes salaries to the officers, Chairman, Deputy Chairman, staff of various departments, judicial officers, members of the executive committee, advisory committee and others, disbursement of pensions and gratuity, expenditure also included the share of staff and officers at Mawkyrwat branch, monolith festival, attempts are made by the Council to raise legal expenses due to the increase number of court cases.
Similarly, to bring about better service to the people in terms of judicial administration, the executive committee has decided to create the post of registrar and other posts which will considerably increase the expenditure of the department.
The KHADC chief observed that the post of architect is mandatory to speed up the projects of the schemes in the civil works and development department, he said, “The remaining amount from the 13th Finance Commission will be worked out. There are plans for completing the market at Nongstoin. The expenditure will include the implementation of schemes under the Special Assistance of Central Plan.”
Syiem expressed gratitude to the Central Government for the Special Assistance scheme of Rs 133.12 crores for 2015-16, and the KHADC will operate revenue generation projects that will yield abundant revenue to the KHADC.
VAB letter: The KHADC has received the letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) which was sent to the state government seeking clarifications on the Village Administration Bill and the Executive Committee of the KHADC is preparing the explanation.
This was informed by Syiem while presenting the budget speech .
