By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 27 Feb: Commenting on the state budget presented by Finance Minister Prem Chand Aggarwal in the State Assembly today, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described it as holistic, inclusive, balanced and development oriented. He claimed that the budget is dedicated to the four pillars mentioned by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi which are the poor, youth, women and farmers. The Chief Minister said that the government presented a budget of Rs 89,230 crore for the year 2024-25, which is 15.27 percent more than last year.
The Chief Minister said that the government is working with determination for a strong Uttarakhand. The government has made more than 30 policies to promote industrial development and employment and its positive effects are also visible. He said that the economic growth rate of Uttarakhand has been 7.63 percent in the year 2022-23, which is higher than the national average. He said that almost the same rate is expected in the year 2023-24 also. The Chief Minister said that the state’s per capita income has increased by 12 percent. Per capita income in the year 2023-24 was Rs 2.60 lakhs. He also reminded that according to the Multidimensional Poverty Index released by NITI Aayog, 9 lakh 17 thousand 299 people of the state have come out of the poverty line.
The CM said that the budget focuses on four pillars of the country mentioned by PM Modi which is welfare of the poor, the youth, the farmers and the women.
The Chief Minister said that a provision of Rs 5658 crores has been made in the budget for the welfare of the poor. This includes Rs 93 crores for housing for the poor, Rs 600 crores for food grains supply and Rs 55 crore for free gas refill.
The Chief Minister said that a total provision of Rs 1679 crore has been made for youth welfare, technical education and higher education. This also includes Rs 250 crore for organising national games. Provision has also been made in the budget for the Chief Minister Minority Meritorious Girls Promotion Scheme. Attention has also been given to creating employment opportunities for the youth.
The CM added that the budget amount for the farmers has been increased. A total provision of Rs 2415 crore has been kept in the year 2024-25. In this, special attention has been paid to Deendayal Upadhyaya Cooperative Farmers Welfare Scheme, Mission Apple, Farmer Pension, Chief Minister Matsya Sampada Yojana.
Dhami reminded that a provision of about Rs 14,538 crore has been kept in the gender budget in the financial year 2024-25. Provisions have been made in Nanda Gaura, Mukhyamantri Mahalaxmi Yojana, Mukhyamantri Vatsalya Yojana, Ganga Gai Mahila Dairy Development Scheme, etc.
