O Panneerselvam presents final supplementary estimates for Rs 17,714 crore

Chennai: Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam who holds the finance portfolio presented final supplementary estimates for 2018 - 19 to the tune of Rs 17,714.99 crore. Of this, a major chunk amounting to '2,019.11 crore has been sanctioned towards providing cash support of Rs 1,000 per family to ration cardholders to celebrate Pongal.

The grant for Pongal has been included in the demand for food and consumer protection department. Presenting the final supplementary estimates in the Assembly House on Thursday Panneerselvam said of the total sum, about Rs 11,523.74 crore is in the revenue account and Rs6,191.25 crore is in the capital and loan accounts.

“The supplementary estimates are being presented mainly to obtain the approval of the Legislature for expenditure on new service and new instrument of service items, which were sanctioned since the presentation of the first supplementary estimates for 2018 – 19 on Jan. 8 this year and to enable recoupment to the contingency fund for advances made from the fund,” Panneerselvam explained.

Of the '1,345.60 crore required for payment of pension as per pay revision, which the State government has committed to, a sum of Rs 1,322.58 crore has been included in the supplementary estimates for 2018 – 19 under pension and other retirement benefits and the remaining amount would be met by re-appropriation within the grant.

Also, the government has provided Rs 1,200 crore towards special cash assistance of Rs 2,000 per family to those below poverty line (BPL) whose livelihood has been severely affected by drought and Gaja cyclone, he said.