Global consultant to prepare Madhya Pradesh govt's budget manual

In a move that is likely to strike a controversy, the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has roped in a leading international consultant to prepare the manual of the state budget for the financial year 2012-13.
       
"Yes, we have sought the help a private concern (for Budget manual). I don't exactly know the name of the company," state's finance minister Raghavji told PTI today.
       
About the consultation fee to be paid to the concern for the job, Raghavji said he doesn't know it and will have to check details.
       
He admitted that it was for the first time that the State BJP Government has sought the help of a private firm to prepare the budget manual (a set of instructions and reference material).
       
"Their help has been sought to prepare only the budget manual. Nothing should be read into it," Principal secretary (finance) G P Singhal said, adding the government will prepare the budget.
       
"I do not have other details," Singhal said in reply to a query.
       
Meanwhile, the global accountancy firm, PricewaterhouseCopper (PwC), in consultation with the state
government officials, has submitted the outline of the budget manual to the finance department and sought its opinion.
       
On its part, the finance department has sought suggestions from different departments.
       
After receiving the suggestions, the outline of the budget manual will be placed before the Cabinet for approval, a note issued by the finance department said.