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The Central Plan Outlay for the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation for 2005-06 stands reduced to Rs.113 crore i.e. Rs.22 crore less than the budget estimates of the current year. Infact, the revised estimates amounted to Rs.85 crore during 2004-05, resulting in the reduction of the budget estimates for the next year.
As envisaged in the National Common Minimum Programme, the outlay for the Social Services Sector was hiked by almost 50 per cent, from Rs.35739 crore in 2004-05 to Rs.53384 crore for the next year. This excludes the provision for rural housing. It is followed by significant increase in sectors like Energy, Rural Development and Agriculture. A notable feature observed in the budget is almost the halving of the allocation in General Economic Services Sector, from Rs.9982 crore in 2004-05, to Rs.4539 crore for 2005-06.
For the priority sectors and flagship programmes falling under the NCMP, it is proposed to provide an additional sum of Rs.25000 crore during 2005-06. The NCMP mandates the Government maintain a growth rate of 7 to 8 per cent to promote investment, generate employment, fiscal consolidation and higher focus on Agriculture, Manufacturing and Infrastructure. The Central Statistical Organisation of the Ministry has already projected a growth rate of 6.9 per cent in the current year, with the manufacturing Sector poised for 8.9 per cent growth. Inflation, which peaked at 8.7 per cent in August 2004, was reined in to 5.01 per cent, in February 2005.
VKS/SR
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