Over half of Budget 2014 proposals still works in progress

More than half of the 170 announcements made in the Union Budget by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley last July are still “works in progress”.

 A document prepared by Department of Economic Affairs showed that the government was yet to conclude 89 announcements made in July while it managed to finish the job on 55 items.

 Twenty-six items have been marked “action partially completed,” according to the document Implementation of Budget Announcements 2014-15.

 Many of the announcements made with much fanfare are still in their nascent stage.
Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission, which is to be implemented by the Rural Development Ministry, is yet to reach the Union Cabinet. A national consultation was held in August last and an expert committee was set up.

“The matter will be taken up for Expenditure Finance Committee and Cabinet approval,” the document said.

Identifying the need to ensure irrigation in bulk of farmland, Jaitley had earmarked Rs 1,000 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana but what the Agriculture Ministry has so far done is just circulating a concept note, EFC note and draft guidelines to ministries.

Jaitley also wanted an expert committee to submit a report on how to deal with unclaimed money lying with Provident Fund, Post Office and savings schemes by December last year. However, the Committee held just two meetings in September 26 and December 29 and the report is yet to be submitted.

Another pro-people measure was the National Livelihood Mission, which envisaged providing bank loan for women Self Help Groups (SHG) at 4 per cent in 100 districts and the Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme.

A meeting of the EFC is “awaited” for deciding on bank loans for women SHGs. On village start-ups, what the Ministry of Rural Development has done is just a workshop. Even a concept note is not prepared.

As per the document, one of the most important announcements that are still a “work in progress” is the passage of Goods and Services Tax (GST). One of the major impediment in enacting the law was the opposition from some states. However, the government has managed to introduce the Bill in Lok Sabha.

“GST will put in place a state-of-the-art indirect tax system by April 1, 2016,” Jaitley said on Saturday.