Akhil’s focussed approach sets record; In a 1st, State budget ready in Dec

Jaipur: The Finance Department has completed its preparations for budget and the State Government can present the budget any day in the State Assembly. Keeping in view the preparations made by the Finance Department, the bureaucratic and political spheres are abuzz that CM Ashok Gehlot can present his last budget of the tenure sooner than expected. Moreover, a political shape is also being given to the entire preparation. Till now, it was only after the Union Budget that the State Budget would be tabled. Hence, the work related to budget preparations would go on till February. But what is more important is that under the leadership of Principal Secretary Finance, Akhil Arora, all these works have been completed in December. Budget preparation is a complicated, long work that requires extreme caution responsible approach. Initial BFC is held with all departments and discussions are held on budget proposals. Detailed examination is held of the fund requirement of departments. After this, the Principal Secretary holds a one -to -one meeting with Secretaries of all the departments. These high- level discussions are conducted according to a calender within a time frame of 8-10 days.

An important part of budget preparation is the Chief Minister’s meeting of the Tax Advisory Committee. This meeting, which is held in four parts, takes several days. In this connection, CM’s 4th meeting with women, youth and professionals took place on December 23. According to knowledgeable sources, these works related to budget have been happening till now by January end or February. Whereas, considering the peoplecentric budget, considering it to be the current government’s last budget, the process had to take as much time. However, energetic, hard working and result- oriented officer Akhil Arora’s work culture is unique. Completing the work with advance preparations and completing work well in time is his working style. He is enriched with extreme foresight and hence his planning also bears result. He is a ‘team builder’ and he carries his team with himself. It is due to Arora’s these qualities, this year’s budget has been completed smoothly and quietly. It has been completed also because CM Ashok Gehlot has immense faith in Akhil Arora, thus, when Arora scheduled meetings of the Tax Advisory Committee, CM immediately said yes to give time. This also ensured close co-ordination between CMO and Finance Department. Officials, who have retired from the Finance Department, are stunned as to how did Arora complete the complicated & lengthy work of budget in December itself and everyone is now awaiting for the outcome of this preparation. Highly placed sources have claimed that although preparations have been made in advance, but budget will come on the same time as always.