The stage is set for Okram Ibobi Singh to be sworn in as the Chief Minister for a third consecutive term. It is still too early to predict, whether he is going to be same leader that the people of Manipur knew or is he going to make a fresh beginning with lessons drawn from past mistakes. Yet, there is no harm in making a wish list from the new government. We think a beginning can be made this same month by presenting a full budget in the first session of the 10th Manipur Assembly and by not seeking a Vote on Account for three or four months. It has sadly become a precedent in the last many years for governments to rush in a Vote on Account in the eleventh hour and go for a full budget session in June. It was somewhat understandable during those times when State Plans are finalised by the Planning Commission in the third or last quarter of a financial year. For states like Manipur where the gap between resources and expenses are wide, it was very difficult to set an agenda for the state without the finalisation of the State Plan.
Gone are those days. Now, the drill for formulation begins early and State Plans are being finalised before the commencement of a financial year. We understand the time constraints as the new financial year begins on April 1. We also understand, a budget has to go through a rigorous process before it is passed by the legislative assembly. The budget goes through five stages which are, presentation of budget with the Finance Minister`s speech, general discussion, voting on demand for grants, passing of appropriation bills and passing of the finance bill. Yet, a beginning has to be made somewhere somehow. If there is a will, it could be achieved however difficult be the circumstances.
The exercise is different in the case of the Union Budget. It combines top down approach with the Ministry of Finance and the Planning Commission issuing guidelines or communicating instructions to spending Ministries, and a bottom-up approach wherein the spending Ministries present requests for budget allocation. Although some changes could be seen in the preparation of the state budget in recent years, attitudinal change is yet to emerge in the political leadership and also in the state bureaucracy. Many of them are still looking at it as a mere balance sheet or a simple financial statement. Of course, it is an annual financial statement, but with an agenda for the ensuing financial year. It is a sort of Vision Document for the year. For the incoming Okram Ibobi led Congress government, it could be a Vision Document for the term. It will set the agenda for the coming years, now that they have achieved the much needed stability with more two-third majority in the 60 member assembly. Last year in March while presenting the State Budget Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said, ‘after almost 10 years at the helm of state affairs we are happy to note that the state is slowly reaping the fruits of various development measures that we undertook during those years. Now, we have to further consolidate these developmental gains so that the aspirations and expectations of every single Manipuri are fulfilled.’ Beautiful words, indeed. But, deeds must follow. Begin the good work with the appointment of a dedicated Finance Minister in the new government. Institute a think tank and an economic advisory team to advise the new government, as Manipur has take full advantage of India’s Look East Policy. Next, tackle the basics like safe drinking water, proper health care facilities in rural and far-flung areas and power supply.