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Retired IAS officer Gopala Rao and research scholar Nidhi Sen at the pre-budget meeting at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram in Hyderabad on Thursday
It is unfortunate that most of the officials do not have a
complete understanding or commitment about budget preparations, thus
making it a routine affair reflecting the aspirations of rulers rather
than addressing the needs of people, A Vidyasagar, principal secretary,
AP Tribal Welfare Department, has said.
Representatives of various
underprivileged sections like SC, ST, women, physically challenged
groups from AP and Telangana participated in the pre-budget
consultation meeting held by an NGO Budget Centre here on Thursday. The
participants discussed about their concerns on budget allocations and to
chart a future course for their needs to be addressed in 2015-16
budget.
“The situation now has come when governments are ready to
listen to the people’s needs while preparing policies and budgets. SC/ST
sub plan is a good example. Activists should try to create awareness
about the importance of budget among underprivileged sections and fight
for the budgetary allocations to address their needs,” Vidyasagar said
speaking on the occasion.
Just budgetary allocations is not
sufficient but government should also make sure that funds are being
spent to achieve the desired results. Many-a-time governments just
allocate budget and release funds towards a scheme but take least
interest in monitoring whether the required purpose is met with or not.
Though funds are being allocated towards healthcare and sanitation in
every budget, the picture at the ground level is very pathetic, remarked
M Snehalatha, consultant working in the field of water and sanitation.
Venkat Rao of AP Vikalanguala Samakya demanded that budgetary
allocations for physically challenged persons should be increased to Rs
200 crore from the existing Rs 50 crore as many persons suffering with
disabilities are being devoid of basic facilities like callipers,
tricycles, pensions. MLC M Geyanand, Budget Centre convenor SathyaBabu
Bose, retired bureaucrat Gopala Rao, were among those present on the
occasion.
Source: The New Indian Express,20th Feb 2015
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