Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Feb 25: In spite of deadly blows delivered by coronavirus pandemic on the state's economy, there has been an encouraging recovery in the financial field during the last three to four months. In the midst of the coronavirus blues, chief minister (CM) B S Yediyurappa, is preparing to present the state budget on March 8.

As the inflow of revenue to the state treasury during the last some months was in excess of previous expectations, the state will perhaps be able to leave behind the COVID scare and present a budget that is robust in size, unaffected by the pandemic.

Before that, based on reduced performance of different departments in revenue generation, it was expected that the state budget might shrink by about Rs 30,000 crore. Even Yediyurappa had expressed his concern about the shortfall in state’s revenue and his views were supported by the finance department officials.

However, post lockdown period, the life returned to normalcy and commercial activities have seen a robust growth. Based on the revenue of the last three to four months, it is said, the next budget size would be considerably bigger than the previous one. Even the finance department officials now have a positive outlook about the future, sources said.

Yediyurappa, who was holding preliminary meetings with senior officials and ministers of various departments where progress and demands were presented, concluded the last of his meetings on Tuesday. Now the CM will consult senior officials and expert economists before finalising the budget, it is learnt.