Chief Minister Jairam Thakur presented the budget for the financial year 2020-21 in the Himachal Assembly on Friday. This annual budget of Rs 49,131 crore has been increased by ten percent from the previous budget. The revenue deficit grant of about Rs 11 thousand 431 crore received from the Center on the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission has helped in making this budget for the next financial year. This is expected to reduce the revenue deficit in this budget. The revenue loss in the last financial year was 2 thousand 219 crores which has come down to Rs 684 crores this time, it is a relief.
Here are few highlights of the budget
For MLA priority schemes, the limit of funds will be Rs 120 crore per assembly constituency. Now, under the MLA Area Development Fund Scheme, Rs 1 crore 75 lakh and discretionary grant amount will be Rs 10 lakh.
An agricultural fund of Rs 20 crore will be created for farmers and gardeners. To promote the cultivation of asafoetida and saffron, a prosperity scheme from agriculture will be launched. Under the Agricultural Product Protection (Anti Helnet) scheme, 50 percent subsidy will be given for the permanent structure of bamboo and steel for helnets.
Honey production and processing scheme will be started for activities related to bee keeping. A new scheme for aromatic plants will be introduced. Snow poultry farming scheme will be launched in the poultry sector. Milk purchase price will be increased by two rupees.
The new scheme for water collection, management and conservation will be run up the mountain stream. In the forest area, the scheme will be implemented by the Forest Department. The new scheme for skill training to MNREGA workers will be launched for the advancement and to create parks and gardens in rural areas.
Quality of education will be emphasized. The Golden Jubilee Gyanodaya Cluster Scheme will be launched for quality in elementary education. The battalion and company will be opened to encourage recruitment of NCC youth into the army, paramilitary forces and police services.
Assistance at the rate of Rs 1500 per month for TB patients. For the detection of breast cancer in women in the initial stage, mammography machines will be provided in all the district hospitals of the state. The new scheme Samman will be launched to provide free treatment and diagnostic services to the destitute people.
The grant amount will be increased from Rs. 61.74 crore to Rs. 207 crore to urban local bodies and for the first time this grant will be given to the cantonment areas. Pure water will be provided in all the houses of the state before 2024 under Jal-Jivan Abhiyan.
Himachal Pradesh Investment Promotion Agency will be set up to attract new investment. HEEM Start up Scheme will be launched for new startups. A new scheme for handloom, weavers, artisans and other craftsmen will be launched on the traditional handloom and handicraft cluster project. 58 crore rupees will be spent for this.
Hotel Management in Dharamshala and Food Craft Institutes in Sundernagar will be set up. Social Security Pension will be given to 50 thousand additional eligible people and the pension amount of widow, PwD has been increased from Rs 850 to Rs 1,000 per month. This will benefit a total of 1 lakh 75 thousand people. The new child nutrition top up scheme will be implemented for the children of Anganwadi centers.