Budget 2021- 22: J&K sets process in motion, discussions from Oct 12

JAMMU: In the process of finalizing budget for next fiscal year, the Jammu and Kashmir Finance department is all set to initiate discussions on estimates of 2021-22 and on the revised figures of the ongoing financial year submitted by the different departments, from October 12.
“Discussions on Budget Proposals of Revised Estimates 2020-21 & Budget Estimates 2021-22 both under Revenue and Capital budget including CSS, PMDP, Loan Component in Finance Department will start from October 12, 2020,” reads a notification issued by Director General Budget of Finance Department.
Earlier, the Finance department had fixed a deadline of September 25 for the administrative departments to submit their budget estimates and recommendations to the Finance department, along with the revised estimates (REs) of the ongoing financial year.
The finance department has sought Action Taken Reports (ATR) before scheduled of discussion. “ATR on the budget announcements, if any, besides complete details on establishment budget would be provided to the Finance Department much ahead of the scheduled date of discussion,” the notification reads.
The notification also revealed that the discussion on the budget proposals of Kashmir, Jammu based Heads of Departments and Des will be held through video conferencing.
As per the notification the administrative secretaries have been asked to join these discussions on relevant date and time in the Finance Department.
“The Departments will call only those officers to participate in their respective Budget meeting in the Finance Department as are felt absolutely necessary,” reads the notification.
Earlier, taking strong note of variation in actual expenditure of previous years, the government asked the administrative departments to submit correct details in their budget and revised estimates.
“The Finance Department has been noticing huge variations in the actual expenditure of the preceding year as shown by the Departments and the numbers as shown by the Accountant General (A&E) J&K in the Annual Finance Account of that year.
“This has been viewed seriously. Care should, therefore, be taken to reflect the correct and duly reconciled expenditure,” government had said.
The government instructed the departments not to budget creation of any posts either in Revised Estimates or in Budget Estimates for ensuing financial year, while seeking a separate statement showing provision for vacant posts as kept in the Revised Estimates 2020-21 and in the Budget Estimates 2021-22, which would be appended with the Budget proposals.
It added that the budget preparation of forms for both Revenue Budget and Capital Budget will be made available to all the field offices as well as the Administrative Departments online through ‘Budget Estimation, Allocation and Management System’ (BEAMS) only.
The Finance Department has asked the Government officers engaged with the exercise for budget preparation to take technical assistance from the NIC and the Resource Persons available in each District Treasury.