On Wednesday, the Budget Estimates (Vote on Account), 2024-25 Ordinance was promulgated by Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, enabling the State government to draw from the Consolidated Fund up to Rs.1.30 lakh crore for meeting the needs of next four months, from August 1 till November 30, 2024.
This Ordinance presented Budget Estimates (Vote on Account) at about ₹1,29,973 crore by State Government.
In February 2024, owing to general elections in that year and therefore the Vote-on-Account, 2024-25 was presented and approved in the State Legislature; this enabled incurring expenditure for initial four months of financial year i.e., April 1, 2024 to July 31, 2024.
Indeed full Budget for the year 2024-25 had to be approved by Legislature prior to July 31 so as to permit State Government’s spending from Consolidated Fund of State from August onwards.
“However since a new government came into power recently and liabilities and resources were being finalized by Finance Department with other departments in due consultation with revenue earning departments”, said the Ordinance as it added “the budget presentation is taking some more time”. Thus it became necessary to seek sanction of Vote on Account Budget for another four months so as to enable departments access money for expenses.
It is absolutely essential that funds should be appropriated from Consolidated Fund of State for meeting expenses of a state beyond July under Article 266(3) of Constitution of India.
The Ordinance stated that “As because Legislature of State is not now in session and Governor Andhra Pradesh is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action.” Promulgation has been done by him.”
Budget allocations shown by Government towards welfare included capital expenditure apart from minor irrigation department; medium irrigation department; major irrigation department; agriculture department; civil supplies department; IT department; women and child welfare department; BC welfare department; Tribal welfare dept; Social welfare dept.; Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, Medical & Health Department, Skill Development and Training Department, School Education Department, Higher Education Department, Roads and Buildings Department, Home Deptt., Transport Dept. besides others.
