Budget 2023: Govt invites suggestions for annual union budget; Citizens can send ideas by December 10 via My Gov portal

New Delhi: The Central Government has invited ideas and suggestions from people for the Union Budget 2023-24 to foster the spirit of ‘Jan Bhagidari’. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has informed in a tweet of a My Gov press release. Citizens can send the suggestions by December 10, 2022.  

Inviting Ideas and Suggestions for Union Budget 2023-2024 | https://t.co/Cm7oOF2RXB https://t.co/UmSUYdEPaO

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) November 26, 2022

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"Inviting Ideas and Suggestions for Union Budget 2023-2024 | http://MyGov.in," she said in a tweet. To foster the spirit of `Jan Bhagidari`, the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance invites suggestions from citizens every year, to make the Budget-making process participative and inclusive."Please share your ideas and suggestions that can help transform India into a global economic powerhouse with inclusive growth.

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the next financial budget of 2023-34 on February 1.

In the past, many suggestions shared here have been incorporated into the Annual Budget," the release said. The last date for submissions is December 10.

How to submit your suggestions:

1. Go to My Gov portal and seach inviting ideas and suggestions for Union Budget 2023-24
2. Login your account via OTP.
3. Go to comment tab and post your suggestion.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman meets state finance ministers

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a pre-budget consultations with the Finance Ministers of States and Union Territories in New Delhi on Friday. State finance ministers stepped up their demand for more funds, greater say in implementing centrally-sponsored schemes and an increase in payments for royalty on minerals. 

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister P Thiaga Rajan said that states, cutting across party lines, said that centrally sponsored schemes are constraining states' fiscal autonomy since in some schemes states end up contributing large amount which is more than the Centre's contribution. "All states, irrespective of political party, expressed common theme states fiscal autonomy is greatly constrained by the extent of centrally sponsored scheme, by the extent of changing ratios of funding of such schemes," Thiaga Rajan told reporters.

States demanded that they should be given greater flexibility in implementing CSS. CSS are implemented through a joint contribution of the Union Government and State Governments. Bihar Finance Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said centrally sponsored schemes should be limited as the burden on states for such schemes is increasing. The centre should implement only Central sector schemes if they want to help states, he said.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said he has demanded an increase in capital assistance given to the states. "Have asked for a system where it should be linked to population. Village-based schemes should be stressed on," Sangma said.

Andhra Pradesh Finance M Buggana Rajendranath Reddy said he has sought special assistance towards capital expenditure. "We have demanded that state-promoted renewable projects to be included in green bond funding scheme," Reddy said.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur sought better road, rail, air connectivity in the state to promote tourism. GST on apple packaging be reduced to 12 per cent from 18 per cent, said Thakur, who holds the Finance portfolio.

Chattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel asked the Centre to release funds for implementing the old pension scheme for state government employees. He also demanded an increase in royalty for minerals extracted in the state and the fixation of different royalties on different grades of coal and iron ore.

According to a release by the Haryana government, Chief Minister M L Khattar demanded that the Centre give a special economic package to Haryana as 14 districts of the state fall in the National Capital Region and lot of resources have to be spent on construction and maintenance of infrastructure in these areas.