Workshop on Pre-Budget Consultation of the Departments.

Chandigarh, Dec 17 – Haryana Finance Minister, Capt. Abhimanyu, said that all expenditure would be recorded under Revenue and Capital instead of Plan and Non-plan heads in the State Budget 2017-18. Besides, the budget will be prepared with a view to ensuring equitable development of villages and cities, and people belonging to all sections of the society.
The Finance Minister was interacting with media persons after a workshop on Pre-Budget Consultation of the Department here today.
He said that the Budget was likely to be presented in February, 2017 and work in this regard would be undertaken next month. He said that focus areas of the Budget would include health, power, education, roads, employment, industries, trade and infrastructure, besides all-round development of the State.
Reiterating that the State Government had also invited suggestions before framing the last two Budgets, he said that during the consultation meeting, officers of the Haryana Government had held discussion with officers of committee chaired by Chairman, Fifth Haryana State Finance Commission, Prof. Mukul G. Asher.
He said that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system would be implemented next year, and this would be the first Union Budget incorporating the system. Apart from this, the economy is changing due to demonetisation and focus is being laid on promoting digital transactions over cash transactions. This may also affect the Budget estimate.
Expressing hope that the suggestions given during the meeting would be adopted during framing of the Budget, he said that demonetisation would lead to positive changes in the economy.
During the workshop, Prof. Mukul G. Asher presented an overview of the key issues and challenges in the 2017-18 Budget of Haryana. While Mr. Tilak Chandna presented his views on current and capital expenditure, Ms. Rohini Aggarwal and Mr. Ramesh Wadhwa presented an overview of GST in Haryana. Key sectorial issues were also discussed in the meeting, with Prof. Narendra Bishnoi outlining the strategy to align public expenditure with economic realities of Haryana, and Mr. Tilak Chandna describing the PFMS implementation in Haryana. Prof. P.K. Chaubey presented his views on augmenting urban resources more effectively, and Mr. Lokesh Sharma, Mr. Sumit Kumar and Mr. Ajay Mishra described outcome driven budgetary initiatives and role of new initiatives on its progress in long and short run. Prof. Asher and Mr. Ramesh Wadhwa also presented their views on demonetisation and its effect.
Those present on this occasion included Additional Chief Secretary, Excise and Taxation, Mr. Sanjeev Kaushal, Principal Secretary, Finance, Mr. T.C. Gupta, Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Mr. Devender Singh and other senior officers.