Question : ZERO BASED BUDGET



(a) whether the Government have adopted zero-based budgeting system for all plan and non-plan schemes for strict control over wasteful expenditure;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the savings made by adopting zero-based budgeting since the adoption of zero-based budgeting ?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI BALASAHEB VIKHE PATIL)

(a) Yes sir.

(b) All ongoing schemes will be subject to rigorous zero-based budgeting scrutiny. Further, the Planning Commission while initiating the task of preparing the Tenth Plan have requested all Central Ministries/Departments to complete a review of all Plan schemes using zero-based budget methodology before deciding on their continuation in the Tenth Five Year Plan. Only such schemes that are demonstrably efficient and essential are to be retained. In this regard, necessary guidelines have been issued to all Central Ministries/Departments and the exercise is underway.

(c) The Zero Based Budgeting exercise is in progress and the exercise has been carried out in about 50 Ministries/Departments. All Ministries and Departments have been asked to ensure that all schemes that are to be discontinued, as per the Zero Based Budgeting exercise do not find mention in ensuing budgetary proposals.