Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Saturday chaired a review meeting of finance, planning and investment (FP&I) department at his office in Itanagar.
The meeting focused at strengthening the department and preparation of the Budget for the upcoming financial year.
The chief minister said the FP&I department is the main engine of the government and its efficiency is of utmost concern and priority.
“The public has given mandate to this government so that we come up to their expectations,” he said.
Khandu also said individually motivated projects and schemes be discouraged forever, dubbing it as the window of corruption.
He said the recent Cabinet has decided that all schemes and projects must be proposed through proper procedure and reflected in Budget.
“Also individually motivated projects, which finds itself through State Annual Development Agenda and State Infrastructure Development Fund scheme has been stopped. Such steps will enable for greater transparency in the entire project implementation process and unnecessary harassment to government employees and public leaders on account of individual schemes will be minimized,” the chief minister said.
Khandu said inclusion of new proposals must be discouraged at the revised estimate stage and only the budgeted projects that require additional funding may be considered.
He further urged the Finance department to focus on computerization of treasury office and called upon the budget division to focus on payments through Public Financial Management System.
To strengthen the department, the chief minister said manpower shortage will also be addressed and two officers of secretary level will be deputed in finance division.
On budget preparation, the chief minister urged for inclusive and realistic budget that should incorporate the aspirations of the people.
“The department should focus on long term perspective plan and accordingly plan the current year budget. In this regards the planning and investment division should bring out a perspective plan for the State,” Khandu said.
He also said immediately after budget is announced, works departments must get immediate approval of funds from finance department so that last minute rush during the fag end of financial year can be stopped.
On immediate approval of funds, the chief minister said the department can fully utilize the fund allocated for projects so that no funds remain unused.
Also present in the meeting were deputy chief minister Chowna Mein, chief secretary Satya Gopal and officers from the FP&I department.