JAMMU, January 28:At a time when Jammu and Kashmir is in the stage of giving final touch to its annual budget for 2021-22 which has to be passed by the Parliament in its budget session, Financial Commissioner (Finance) Dr Arun Kumar Mehta has proceeded on “long leave” to New Delhi.
Reliable sources told the Excelsior that the Finance Department is in the stage of giving final touch to annual budget of Jammu and Kashmir for 2021-22 which has to be approved by the Parliament in absence of Legislature in the Union Territory because of delay in holding elections to the Legislative Assembly.
Dr Mehta, who has already been empanelled as Secretary in the Government of India, was also scheduled to proceed on Central deputation.
However, right from October-November when the process is initiated for presentation of budget, the Financial Commissioner (Finance) was closely associated with it and was personally monitoring it.
“The Jammu and Kashmir administration has already held couple of rounds of meetings with the Union Finance Ministry officials on the budget,” sources said, adding that requirements of all Departments have also been taken into account by the Finance Department as a part of annual exercise for finalization of the budget.
Sources, however, admitted that some difficulties will arise with Dr Mehta proceeding on “long leave”.
Budget session of the Parliament is schedule to begin on January 29 with the address of President Ram Nath Kovind to joint session while Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present annual budget on February 1. Budget of Jammu and Kashmir will also be presented in the same session.
Describing proceeding of leave by the senior most bureaucrat engaged in monitoring preparations for annual budget as “unusual”, sources said the Government will have to a take a call within the next few days as budget exercise can’t be hampered.
Though no reasons could be ascertained behind Dr Mehta suddenly proceeding on “long leave”, he had recently voiced concerns over some Administrative Secretaries not attending the High Powered Committee meeting of Jammu Kashmir Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (JKIDFC).
Absence of the Administrative Secretaries had angered the Financial Commissioner, Finance Department, who had taken serious cognizance of the non-participation and conveyed that the crucial meetings should not be attended by the representatives.
A strong worded displeasure in this regard was formally conveyed by Dr Mehta after he cancelled the recently scheduled JKIDFC High Powered Committee meeting due to non-participation of the Administrative Secretary, Jal Shakti Department and Administrative Secretary, Planning Development and Monitoring Department.
Because of non-participation of the Administrative Secretaries of these two Departments in the capacity of JKIDFC High Powered Committee members, proceedings of the crucial meeting could not be held and hence the development projects worth crores of rupees were not taken up for discussion and likely approval of the same.(By Daily Excelsior)
