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.