Budget run begins as Finance ministry seeks inputs from ministries

The Union Budget 2011-12 exercise has begun with the Ministry of Finance writing to all government ministries and departments for their inputs late last week.

Five months ahead of the February 2011 Budget, guidelines have been issued to all ministries on what they should be focusing on this time around.

“The discussions will focus on the net budget of each ministry/ department, that is expenditure less revenue receipts and capital receipts, like recovery of loans, and issue of bonus shares,” the finance ministry said in a note.

With the implementation of Direct Taxes Code pushed to April 2012, no significant step in the area of income-tax is expected in the 2011-12 Budget, sources said.

The finance ministry has sought inputs from various ministries by the end of October. The Budget discussions will begin around November.
The ministries and government departments have been asked to realistically assess fund requirement to ward off occurrence of unwarranted surrender of savings at a later date.

Among other things, the ministries are required to focus on the area of gender budgeting. This should highlight the quantum of public expenditure earmarked for women-specific programmes (100% provision) and pro-women allocations (at least 30% provision) for gender neutral programmes, the finance ministry has said.

Also, beginning 2011-12 Budget, “the Planning Commission will be making separate allocations for the SC (scheduled caste) Sub-Plan as part of the Plan allocations and the same will also be indicated clearly in the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Planning Commission and the concerned Ministry/Department,” the note said.

The Budget also aims to focus on the welfare of children. “Recognising that children under 18 constitute a significant percentage of the Indian population, the government is committed to their welfare and development.”

The emphasis will be on educational outlays, provisions for the girl child, health and provisions for child protection.