Patna, Aug 3 (UNI) First Supplementary Budget of Rs 22,777.32 crores of Bihar for the fiscal 2020-21 was passed in Assembly on Monday.

Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi while giving reply to short debate on supplementary budget presented in Assembly, said that not only Bihar, but whole country was passing through difficult phase due to Corona pandemic. In comparison to last year, revenue collection was 81.6 per cent less in April month this year while it was 42.14 per cent less in May this year in comparison to the same period last year, he said.

Mr Modi further said that in June this year, the revenue collection was recorded 15.12 per cent less than corresponding period of the last year while in July, the shortfall was recorded 8.34 per cent.

Several developed and economically strong states decided to reduce salary of their employees but despite facing difficulties and paucity of funds, Bihar government had decided not to reduce salary of it staff, he stated.

Deputy Chief Minister further stated that state government had spent Rs 6168 crores for payment of pension and Rs 2059 crores for payment of interest while Rs 1816 crores was paid against interest of loans taken earlier.

A total of Rs 46,530 was spent from April 1 to July 31 this year year which was 22 per cent of the total budget for the financial year 2020-21, he affirmed.

Mr Modi further affirmed that despite fall of 33 per cent in revenue, Bihar was the first state in the country to think for Corona warriors. It was decided that doctor and health workers would be paid one month salary as incentive to them for working with dedication in difficult phase of Corona pandemic.

Deputy Chief Minister said that the state government would arrange additional fund by taking loans if Centre raised the limit of borrowing for the states. If the limit was extended to five per cent of State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP), Bihar would have the opportunity to take additional loans of Rs 19,384 crores, he said adding that the Centre had given permission for taking additional loan giving relaxation of 0.5 per cent, which would enable the state to take loans of Rs 3230.5 crores.

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