THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With two weeks left for the end of the financial year, the government is looking to find Rs 22,000 crore for year-end expenses. As per reports, half of it has been found.

Rs 2,705 crore has been received as the 14th tranche of central tax allocation. Rs 1,500 crore will be borrowed soon for emergency expenditure. By adding Rs 6,000 crore tax revenue, 500 crore non-tax revenue, 937 crore borrowed and all other revenues, the amount will be in the tune of Rs 13,000 crore.

A strict restriction has been imposed in the treasury regarding the approval of bills worth more than Rs 10 lakhs. Direction has been given to transfer unspent development funds to the treasury.

This month, the exchequer is under severe strain after spending Rs 4,500 crore to pay salaries to government employees and pensions to retirees. 67 percent of the state plan allocation has been spent. Rs 22,322 crores is the total amount of state schemes. Out of this, Rs 7700 crores is to be spent. Rs 16,000 crores is left in arrears to public works contractors alone. Social welfare pension arrears reached Rs 2400 crores.

The central government's strict restriction on borrowing and non-receipt of GST compensation have put the state under financial stress. Apart from treasury control, other expenditure is also strictly controlled. KSRTC has not been able to pay its salaries since the government aid has stopped. In KSEB, the bills of petty contracts is pending approval since last August. Due to this, about 4500 workers are not getting paid. The recommendation given for the appointment of about six thousand teachers in the education department has been withheld by the finance department due to the financial crisis. At least 1500 teachers need to be recruited before the next academic year. Unless there is a change in the central government's approach, the state will be in financial trouble in the new financial year as well.