The State government formally initiated the Budget estimates’ preparation exercise for the Financial Year 2025-26. All the heads of departments and other estimating officers have been directed to submit the Budget estimates in prescribed formats through the Finance Department portal online.
In case of failure to submit estimates as per the proforma, budgetary allocations for the same will not be made for the departments concerned.
The officials were also instructed to submit revised estimates for the ongoing Financial Year 2024-25 again through the Finance Department portal by January 4. In the orders issued on Tuesday, the Finance Department stated that the Budget will be designed for the optimal allocation of available resources taking into account many socio-political considerations.
The officials were instructed to submit proposals pertaining to revenue receipts and revenue expenditure, including salaries and expenses for various existing schemes as well as newly proposed schemes for the ensuing fiscal.
The Budget estimates will be prepared based on the existing rates of taxes,
duties and fees. However, the officials were instructed to refrain from proposing any increase or reduction of these rates which has not been approved by the State government. They may explore a new base for improving their revenue receipts, curb the leakages through strict vigilance and improve the performance of the employees concerned.
Meanwhile, sources in the Finance Department said oral instructions have been already circulated to the departments concerned to prepare the Budget estimates which would be uploaded through the portal over the next four days. Upon receipt of the proposals, the Finance Department will hold department-wise meetings after the Sankranti festival.
These meetings will be chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka along with the Minister concerned, to pave the way for Budget preparation by the end of January.
Based on the allocations made in the Union Budget scheduled to be presented in the first week of February, the State Budget estimates will be fine-tuned. The State Budget is likely to be presented in the Assembly in the third week of February.