Rs 4,296.62cr supplementary budget passed in Jharkhand Assembly amid BJP walkout

Ranchi: Amid walkout by BJP legislators, Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore presented a supplementary budget of Rs 4,296.62 crore in the state assembly, claiming that the Hemant Soren-led government’s financial management remains strong. He said the additional budget is aimed at laying the foundation to bring joy to rural communities, and was passed by voice vote in the House.

The minister stated that the original budget for the financial year stands at Rs 1,45,400 crore, with over Rs 38,000 crore allocated towards plan expenditure, surpassing establishment expenditure. In the first four and a half months of the financial year, Rs 23,799 crore has already been spent under the plan head—amounting to 26.5 percent of the total—marking a 2–2.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Kishore said revenue collection stood at Rs 33,707 crore, or 27 percent of the annual target, calling it a major achievement. In comparison, only 23 percent, or Rs 18,137.19 crore, had been spent by August in FY 2024–25.

He emphasised that Jharkhand has not needed to borrow from the market so far this fiscal year, as the fiscal deficit remains well below the 3 percent ceiling. However, he said the state has the capacity to raise up to Rs 18,000 crore in loans if necessary. He added that tax management is effective, expenditure is under control, and financial reporting is robust.

The finance minister also raised concerns over the Centre’s allocation to the state, revealing that only 17 percent of the expected share in central taxes has been received in the first four and a half months.

Highlighting the government’s priorities, Kishore said there has been a significant focus on agriculture and water resources. From 2001 to 2018–19, the total agricultural budget stood at Rs 15,887 crore, while from 2019–20 to 2025–26, it increased to Rs 26,464 crore. In the water resources sector, Rs 30,173 crore was spent between 2001–02 and 2018–19, and Rs 11,069 crore has been spent in the past six years on irrigation projects.

On the need for the supplementary budget, Kishore said it is essential to provide funding for emerging requirements. He informed the House that the state expects Rs 1,476 crore from the central government and Rs 1,642 crore from surrendered funds. Additionally, there will be a fiscal burden of Rs 1,177 crore, mitigated by Rs 832 crore expected from pension fund surrenders, resulting in a net burden of Rs 345 crore.

He also noted that Rs 4,000 crore lying unused in personal ledger (PL) accounts has been transferred to the treasury, stating that holding large sums in PL accounts for extended periods reflects poor financial practice. In contrast, between 2010 and 2011, Rs 22,000 crore had accumulated in such accounts.

On employment, Kishore said data from the labour department shows around eight lakh registered unemployed youth in the state. He claimed that 1.5 lakh of them have been provided employment over the past five years.

Addressing the impact of excessive rainfall, he informed the House that crops spread across two lakh acres have been damaged. Clarifying the nature of the “Maiyan Samman Yojana”, he said it is not merely a free seed distribution scheme, but an initiative aimed at uplifting half the population—women.