Maharashtra State certainly can take financial risk in this matter, because this is one of the States whose finances are well managed and who can afford to take socio-economic risks in taking some bold decisions and showing a new way in this particular matter. So, this question of the scheme for defaulters and treating them as sick units and giving them some facilities for them should be settled because being defaulters they do not get tacavi from the Government, they do not get credit from the bank. Not only that, the Government officers go and auction whatever they have got in their own premises. So, this question needs priority consideration.
I would like to mention another thing which is based on my impression of the Budget. The rate of rise or the rate of growth or increase of expenditure on education was previously considerable in this State. I find this rate of growth’ of expenditure on education has practically come to a standstill. There may be some technical growth, but there is not high priority consideration for education, particularly technical education, professional education, education to the backward classes and education in the rural areas.
These are the matters which require consideration. I hope, Mr. Finance Minister, you will look to this particular aspect of Maharashtra Budget and try to do what you can do. The Plan was expected to be of Rs. 1,000 crores. I find that is being reduced. The State certainly can implement plan of that order if the Finance Minister can help the State, to work out the Budget ambitiously. You should aspire and show courage to have an ambitious plan, because from the information that is provided here, it is clear that they themselves have raised quite sufficient resources. They have had the capacity to raise the resources. Here you are not helping the States which have the capacity to raise the resources. You better do that and let them have a little more opportunity. Naturally, I am glad that some reasonable amounts have been provided for the two important sectors of irrigation and power. These are two very important sectors and they have made a reasonable provisions for this. I would however like to sound a note of caution here and that is, whether the potential that is created for irrigation is actually used or not, is a most important matter and that will have to be seen. We have to see whether the investment in power is made according to schedule and giving the result that is needed. Irrigation is important from the agriculture point of view, and rural areas point of view. Power is also more important from the rural areas point of view and agriculture point of view.
Sir, I have made a general reference to problems, but the point that I have particularly mentioned about the defaulters and about the potential of irrigation etc. should be carefully considered. About the political aspect, I know we will have to take more time when the issue directly comes before us.
