State Deputy Chief Minister who is also the finance Minimister Shri Jishnu Dev Varma has demanded for the special provision of state budgetary shortfall amount approximately Rs. 2636 Cr during 2020-21 pre-budget meeting with Union Finance Minister Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman held yesterday through Video Conference (VC). Other views of state government were also stated by Sri Dev Varma, who took part in the said VC and requested for incorporating the following in the Union Budget 2021-22.
i) Shortfall of Share of Central Taxes: The trend of devolution of share of central taxes during current fiscal indicates that it will be much less than the amount as per interim recommendation of 15th finance Commission. The shortfall will be approximately Rs. 2636 Cr during 2020-21. For the well performing state like Tripura which has narrow resource base, it is difficult to meet this shortfall from own resources. It is requested that there has to be provision for providing special assistance to fill up the gap due to less receipts of Share of Central taxes.
ii) Grants for Sixth Schedule Area: In the interim report of 15th Finance Commission, there was no recommendations for giving funds exclusively for Schedule area i.e. Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). There is a need to accelerate the development of the 6th Schedule Area and more so due to COVID-19. As such, a special financial package is sought for the 6 Schedule Area.
iii) Maintenance of PMGSY Roads and other Capital Assets: As per recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission, Government of India used to provide maintenance grant. But from 14th Finance Commission onwards, there is no provision for such maintenance grant. Therefore, many capital assets like roads and buildings are getting damaged due to lack of adequate maintenance. In case of PMGSY roads, maintenance is done up to 5 years after completion. But, after 5 years, the cost of maintenance of such roads lies on State Government. In Tripura there is about 2550 KM roads under PMGSY,which were constructed minimum 5 (five years) back or earlier and now such roads are getting damaged due to lack of adequate maintenance. It is requested to provide maintenance grant for upkeep of all such assets created in the state.
iv) Request for continuation of Special assistance for Infrastructure Creation Fund from Central Government of Rs. 200 Cr.
v) Externally Aided Project (EAP) presently 80:20 Pattern and requested for EAP Project for 90:10 (90% Central and 10% State) share.
vi) Increase of Budgetary allocation for NEC and DONER for speeding up for development in North East.
vii) Increasing Social Pension and Pay of ASHA Workers.
