Chandigarh, April 9 : Claiming budget estimates were being jacked up, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Saturday that government officers will not be given a free hand to prepare budget estimates for developmental projects in the state.

Addressing a public meeting in Hisar, he said that the move will help in rooting out corruption at different levels.

To stress his point, Khattar said that the budget estimate for the construction cost of the newly-inaugurated bus stand in Jhajjar was put at Rs.50 crore, but it was completed at only Rs. 33 crore.

\"This is about 30 percent less as compared to the budget estimates. The government would ensure maximum development with the available funds,\" he said, adding his government would implement a social audit system as per which social audit committees would be set up to ensure people\'s participation in development process.

\"The estimated budget of any project would be finalized in consultation with these committees. The final payment of the developmental works would also be made through these committees. The state government has taken many initiatives to check corruption,\" he added.

No free hand to officers in budget preparation: Khattar