Mumbai: Even though the state’s finances are in the red, there was a scramble to get govt resolutions (GRs) issued over the long weekend before the financial year ended to make sure departmental funds did not lapse.
Close to 300 GRs allocating funds to various departments were issued on Monday, March 31, in a single day, even though it was a public holiday on account of Ramzan Eid. Between Saturday and Monday, more than 500 new GRs were issued. Officials said babus in Mantralaya were working overtime to get the GRs issued before March 31. Most of these GRs are for the distribution of funds or giving approvals to new schemes or programmes.
In the state budget presented by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar last month, financial strain was apparent in the figures. The state’s debt projection is Rs 9.3 lakh crore, more than 10% than in 2024-25 when the figure was Rs 8.39 lakh crore. It is almost three times as high as it was a decade ago. Its revenue deficit—the gap between the state’s income and expenditure—is nearly Rs 20,000 crore more than the estimate last year, which was Rs 26,535 crore.
The maximum GRs were issued from the finance department that controls the state treasury. Among the GRs issued was one for a Rs 146 crore interest-free loan to Mahavitaran. “It has been decided to grant Rs 146 crore as an interest-free loan to the Mahavitaran company under the scheme of funds to tribal families, funds to agricultural colleges, grants to Konkan Agricultural University. Approval of administrative expenses, reimbursement of industrial group development program expenses, special assistance from the centre in the form of unfunded loans to the states, etc,” the GR stated.
Among other GRs issued were for giving funds for Nagpur Haj House and Waqf Board. “Rs 1.20 crore to Nagpur Haj House, Rs 25 crores to Maulana Azad Minority Economic Development Corporation as share capital, Rs 15.89 lakhs for food of students in minority hostels, Rs 28.80 lakhs funds for providing employment opportunities to minority women and youth, Rs 3.13 crores for self-help group scheme, Rs 2 crores to Minority Commission for research training scheme…,” some of the GRs said.
The state govt has issued directions to all departments to make sure they close or consolidate some of the existing schemes before proposing new ones. In a new order issued by chief secretary Sujata Saunik, the govt has said even if the cabinet approves any proposal but suggests changes/revisions in the financial burden or criteria, prior approval of the planning and finance department should be taken before issuing the GR.
Mumbai: Even though the state’s finances are in the red, there was a scramble to get govt resolutions (GRs) issued over the long weekend before the financial year ended to make sure departmental funds did not lapse.
Close to 300 GRs allocating funds to various departments were issued on Monday, March 31, in a single day, even though it was a public holiday on account of Ramzan Eid. Between Saturday and Monday, more than 500 new GRs were issued. Officials said babus in Mantralaya were working overtime to get the GRs issued before March 31. Most of these GRs are for the distribution of funds or giving approvals to new schemes or programmes.
In the state budget presented by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar last month, financial strain was apparent in the figures. The state’s debt projection is Rs 9.3 lakh crore, more than 10% than in 2024-25 when the figure was Rs 8.39 lakh crore. It is almost three times as high as it was a decade ago. Its revenue deficit—the gap between the state’s income and expenditure—is nearly Rs 20,000 crore more than the estimate last year, which was Rs 26,535 crore.
The maximum GRs were issued from the finance department that controls the state treasury. Among the GRs issued was one for a Rs 146 crore interest-free loan to Mahavitaran. “It has been decided to grant Rs 146 crore as an interest-free loan to the Mahavitaran company under the scheme of funds to tribal families, funds to agricultural colleges, grants to Konkan Agricultural University. Approval of administrative expenses, reimbursement of industrial group development program expenses, special assistance from the centre in the form of unfunded loans to the states, etc,” the GR stated.
Among other GRs issued were for giving funds for Nagpur Haj House and Waqf Board. “Rs 1.20 crore to Nagpur Haj House, Rs 25 crores to Maulana Azad Minority Economic Development Corporation as share capital, Rs 15.89 lakhs for food of students in minority hostels, Rs 28.80 lakhs funds for providing employment opportunities to minority women and youth, Rs 3.13 crores for self-help group scheme, Rs 2 crores to Minority Commission for research training scheme…,” some of the GRs said.
The state govt has issued directions to all departments to make sure they close or consolidate some of the existing schemes before proposing new ones. In a new order issued by chief secretary Sujata Saunik, the govt has said even if the cabinet approves any proposal but suggests changes/revisions in the financial burden or criteria, prior approval of the planning and finance department should be taken before issuing the GR.