Third supplementary budget passed amid Opposition walk out

Ranchi, Mar 13 (UNI) The Jharkhand Assembly passed the third supplementary budget of Rs 237.99 crore by voice vote after a marathon two-day debate amid walk out by the Opposition today.

Mr Ravindra Rai (BJP) yesterday moved a cut motion on the budget questioning the government's wisdom to pass the third supplementary budget, as the main budget for the next fiscal was scheduled to be presented on March 19.

After a long debate, Finance Minister Stephen Marandi defended the government's move saying the present UPA government was formed just five months back and the main budget was prepared by the then NDA dispensation so he had to lay the supplementary budget prioritising the developmental schemes.

Replying to the Opposition's allegation of financial mismanagement, Mr Marandi said the government was taking measures to cut expenditure. He ruled out the apprehension that the supplementary budget included such scheme as many of them were centrally sponsored and asserted that it would not create any adverse impact in the state's coffer.

He also said the state government had additional burden of Rs 73.41 crore as salary arrears since the united Bihar.

Resuming yesterday's debate on cut motion, the Opposition members earlier said the supplementary budget was not needed as the fund allocated in the main budget remained unutilised.

UNI