Newmai News Network Imphal | February 5 Manipur Deputy Chief Minister, Yumnam Joykumar Singh today stated that the financial health of the State has improved considerably and the overall Gross State Domestic Products (GSDP) rate in the next fiscal year, 2018-19 is expected to increase up to 11.95%. He was speaking to media persons at a media interaction session held at his official chamber at Manipur Secretariat in Imphal. The Deputy Chief Minister who also holds the Finance portfolio said that the Government is committed to uplift the welfare of people and therefore, Budget Estimates for the next fiscal 2018-19 is aimed to develop key areas like Skill Development, Housing, Drinking Water, Power and Sports. He also stated that the State Government was focussed on accelerating economic activities by curbing bandh, blockade and other forms of hindrances so that economic growth can be enhanced considerably. There has been substantial improvement in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sectors in the current fiscal and more improvement likely in the next fiscal year, he added. On the introduction of GST, Joykumar revealed that tax collection has increased and added that it will contribute to improving the overall financial health in the state. Capital Outlay will also be increased as expected, as Centrally Sponsored Schemes have been successfully implementing in the State while revenue receipts from non-tax collection have also contributed in improving the economic growth, he noted. Acknowledging the fact that, a lot of infrastructure needs to be developed especially in sports sector to meet the growing demands, Joykumar said that special attention has been given to the sports sector and in the next fiscal year, four artificial football grounds and one artificial hockey field will be developed. He informed of his appeal to the Union Finance Minister for allocating more funds under Khelo India so that more infrastructures can be developed to tap the growing potential among the youths in the state.
