3rd supplementary budget passed in Legislative Council

Patna, Mar 17 (UNI) Amid noisy walk-out by the Opposition, the Legislative Council today passed the Bihar Appropriation Bill-2008 and third supplementary budget for the fiscal 2007-08 rpt 2007-08.

Replying to the special debate on third supplementary budget in the House, deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who also holds the finance portfolio, said the government had made provision of Rs 2567.18 crores in the supplementary budget.

''Of the total allocation of Rs 2567.18 crores, Rs 1189 crores would be spent under plan head while Rs 1109.74 crores under non plan expenditure,'' he added.

''A fund of Rs 484 crores, from the sum allocated for third supplementary budget, would be spent for reconstruction of buildings damaged in devastating flood in north Bihar last year,'' he said and lamented that the Centre had not released a single penny to carry out the huge 'reconstruction process' in the worst-hit flood affected areas of the state.

''A premier management institute, named after great ruler of Chandragupta period, will be functional during the coming academic session and the process for admission will begin soon,'' he informed.

Expressing concern over the scarcity of fodder during flood, Mr Modi said eight well-equipped fodder banks would be set up at a cost of Rs 25 lakhs each across flood prone areas to ensure uninterrupted supply of fodder to cattle owners during the flood. With the application of modern technology, fodder would be packed in such a way which would be easily transportable during the flood, he added.

Mr Modi defended the expenditure incurred by the state government for training IAS officers saying they would discharge their responsibility more diligently for rapid development of the state.

The entire Opposition staged walk-out from the House during the minister's reply dubbing the government as 'anti-farmer'. Later the House passed the appropriation bill and third supplementary budget.

UNI KKS PL DB1859