White paper on Rs.463.52 crore added to deficit

As per the budget figures contained in the budget speech of chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü, who also holds the crucial finance portfolio, the  financial year (2017-18) is expected to close with a negative balance (deficit) projected at Rs.1437.84 crore.
The explanation for the deficit was cited on the negative opening balance of the previous year (2016-17) at Rs.1426 crore. In the transaction during the period 2016-17, it was expected to end with a positive balance of Rs. 220 crore. However due to the negative opening balance of Rs.1657.87 crore for 2017-18 the financial year was expected to close with a negative balance of Rs.1437.84 crore.
There was however one factor that had not been highlighted except by BJP legislator Mmhonlumo during the discussion on the budget. He pointed out that the closing deficit of the previous year(2015-16) was projected at Rs.1191.35 crore. Kikon pointed out that as the opening deficit for the financial year 2016-17 was to the tune of Rs.1657.87 crore while the closing deficit for the same period was to the tune of Rs.119.35 crore; a whopping Rs.463.52 crore was added to the later cited figure.
This implied that there has been an increased deficit of Rs.463.52 crore during the period 2016-17. The MLA had asked the chief minister to bring out a white paper on the financial transactions during 2016-17 so as to bring out the facts on how such a huge amount was added as deficit and who were involved.
The 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly had voted the 2017-18 budget of 16,375.42crore on March 30, 2017 showing an increase by Rs.2716.68 crore over the previous year’s budget (2016-17) of Rs.13658.74 crore. Even in the previous year, as per the standard operating procedure of the finance department, there was the same window dressing where it stated that Rs.225 crore (managed from whatever sources) would reduce the deficit.
Even in the present budget the finance department has come out with the ‘200’ figure (positive transaction).
It may be pointed out that having reflected higher receipts of Rs.2716.68 crore from the previous year; a huge amount of money has transacted through the finance department.
Therefore, the demand for a white paper on the 2016-17 transactions is not only a just demand but one that the public would be most keen to know.
Nagaland is the highest recipient of funds from the government of India as state share of central taxes which made grants to devolution as per the formula worked out by the 14th Finance Commission.