PUNJAB CM HAILS BUDGET AS PEOPLE-FRIENDLY & AIMED AT MULTI-SECTORL GROWTH
Author(s): City Air News · DISMISSES SAD-BJP CRITICISM AS ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO MISLEAD PEOPLE Chandigarh, March 24, 2018: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday hailed the state’s Budget 2018-19 as a milestone one, with...
cityairnews
Mar 24, 2018 09:30
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· DISMISSES SAD-BJP CRITICISM AS ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO MISLEAD PEOPLE
Chandigarh, March 24, 2018: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday hailed the state’s Budget 2018-19 as a milestone one, with its focus on multi-sectoral growth, and expressed the confidence that it would put the state on the path of high growth.
Dismissing as totally unfounded and misleading the statements of SAD-BJP on the budget, the Chief Minister told mediapersons this budget would lead the state back on the path of growth and prosperity to bring it out of the vicious cycle of fiscal mess into which the previous government had plunged it.
Captain Amarinder challenged the Akalis and the BJP to list even one tangible success they had achieved in terms of development and prosperity of the state during their decade-long misrule. They had completely ruined the state’s economy with their ill-conceived policies, he pointed out, adding that the current budget was not only progressive, balanced and people-friendly but provided a roadmap to put the derailed economy on the track by ensuring all-round development of the state.
The current budget had taken due care of all sectors of state, be agriculture, industry, health, education, employment generation or, above all, the welfare of disadvantaged sections of the society, said the Chief Minister.
Captain Amarinder recalled that his government’s maiden budget last year had been an endeavour to improve the fiscal health of the State through meticulous long term-planning to restore financial discipline in line with the provisions of FRBM Act-2003, which the previous SAD-BJP Government had blatantly violated to pursue its vested interests.
Taking a step forward, this year’s growth-oriented budget presented by Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal would further consolidate the recovery that the state had started showing in the shape of its improved financial health, he added.
The Chief Minister said that this Budget would prove to be a milestone to achieve the target of fiscal consolidation as mandated by the 14th Finance Commission for all the states, besides putting Punjab in the orbit of high-growth trajectory.
Farm debt relief phase-III : 50,000 farmers to get certificates next month
(Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, SBS Nagar, Amritsar and Tarn Taran farmers to get relief of Rs. 200 crores)
(No eligible farmer under the scheme to be left out, Govt. assures)
Punjab government would provide debt relief to the tune of Rs. 200 crores to around 50,000 beneficiaries of six districts in the next phase and a state level function to be held in first week of April at Gurdaspur. The state government has also assured that all eligible farmers under this scheme would get debt relief and no eligible farmer to be left out.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the cooperative department said the roll out of the debt relief scheme-2017 was a continuous process and every eligible farmer would be covered under this plan. He added that around 50,000 beneficiaries of six districts namely Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, SBS Nagar, Amritsar and Tarn Taran would get relief of around Rs. 200 crores.
Reiterating the resolve of the state government to fulfil its commitment of debt relief to the farmers, he informed that the scheme has been amended to obtain a self-declaration from the eligible beneficiaries thereby simplified the disbursement procedure.
The spokesperson informed that state government has formulated this debt relief scheme under which relief upto Rs. 2 lakh would be provided to marginal and small farmers who have borrowed crop loan from cooperative institutions, public sector banks and other commercial banks as on 31.03.2017. "Under the scheme, cooperative institutions and banks would upload Aadhar based data of their beneficiaries on a web portal of the government for ascertaining the eligibility of the farmers. The data uploaded thereafter would verified by the department of revenue for identification of the farmers as small or marginal," he added.
Divulging more he said as per the provisions of the scheme, the farmers who have obtained crop loan from the cooperative institutions are to be given relief on priority. "Debt relief to marginal farmers is to be given in first phase and small farmers shall be covered in the second phase," he said. Further, as per scheme, concerned deputy commissioner would consolidate the claims of the banks and department of agriculture would reimburse the amount of relief to the banks.
He further said 46,556 marginal farmers of five districts of Mansa, Bathinda, Faridkot, Muktsar and Moga had already been provided relief of Rs. 167.39 crore at Mansa in January this in the first phase. "On the day of the function, the loan accounts of the beneficiaries maintained in the banks were credited and the farmers who have provided their mobile numbers to the banks were informed about the credit in the accounts on account of debt waiver through SMSs," he added.
The spokesperson informed that in the next phase, total 29,192 farmers of 5 districts namely Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Fazilka and Ferozepur were provided relief of Rs. 162.16 crore during a function held at Nakodar in this month. Similarly on the day of function the loan accounts of the beneficiaries with the banks were credited with the amount of relief and the farmers who have provided their mobile numbers to the banks were informed about the credit in their accounts through SMSs. So far, 75,748 farmers of 10 districts have been provided debt relief of Rs.329.55 crore, he said.
He said the debt relief in these 10 districts has been given to those marginal farmers whose data has been uploaded on the web portal and revenue department has authenticated their record. He clarified that there are some farmers whose data could not be uploaded due to mismatch of Aadhar or pending scrutiny by the revenue department or due to any local issue and as such their claims of relief could have been delayed. "If such farmers have any doubt or grievances, they could approach deputy registrar of concerned district or assistant registrar at tehsil level or branch manager of cooperative bank or concerned secretary of the concerned cooperative agricultural society for their redressal," he added.
The spokesperson informed that all the deputy commissioners have already been directed to monitor the scheme on day to day basis and ensure that no eligible farmer was left out and the relief disbursed at the earliest. Besides, to facilitate the delivery of the scheme more efficiently, State Government has constituted committees of SDMs, assistant registrars, and agriculture development officers at each sub-division level to settle the claims manually of those farmers who have died or do not have Aadhar with them.
It is turn-around budget for fiscal stressed Punjab: Bajwa
Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa today hailed the budget presented today by Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal as futuristic and realistic to take the state to higher developmental target.
“This budget reflects commitment of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to every section of society as the same have been matched by providing budgetary allocations. Here is a government in action that believes in translating every promise into action”, he said.
He said it was a quantum jump going by 88.20 per cent hike in allocation from Rs 1605 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 3020 crore for rural development that is a record. This would prove to be face changer for rural areas. He asserted it would further narrow down the gap between the urban and rural areas in the state.
BUDGET SUMMARY 2018-19
The total Budget size for the year 2018-19 is `129698 crore. However the effective Budget size is `102198 crore as the above figure contains a budget provision of `27500 crore towards Ways and Means transactions for the current year. The total Receipts are expected to be `122923 crore.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS
For Debit Relief scheme `4250 crore has been allocated and `370 crore has been disbursed to 71166 farmers as debt relief. Free power to farmers to be continued. `6256 crore allocated. Under RKVY. `400 crore has been allocated. ` 25 crore for support to extension services (ATMA), For underground pipeline projects for irrigation water. `44 crore has been provided. ` 55 crore for National Horticulture Mission. To support cane growers an allocation `180 crore has been provided. Crop Residue Management `100 crore. A special project of `750 crore to improve the agricultural marketing. Gokul Gram at Bir Dosanjh is being established at a cost of `12.84 crore. ` 10 crore for a Buffalo Research Centre at Patti, New Cattle Feed Plant will be set up at Kapurthala at a cost of `13 crore. To modernize and expand the oldest sugar mill at Bhogpur `31 crore. `45.50 crore for the computerization of 3,537 PACS. Sports University at Patiala will be established. District Bureaus of Employment & Enterprises. Allocation `20 crore. `1440 crore to provide power at a variable cost of `5/- per unit to Industry. A Modern Focal Point at Nabha is being developed at a total cost of `55.40 crore. Industrial Focal Point at Phase IV-Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Bathinda and Mandi Gobindgarh, Khanna and Patiala will be upgraded. The state will also develop a dedicated Marble market, Transport Nagar and an Automobile Market in SAS Nagar (Mohali). To celebrate 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 2019 an allocation `100 crore for preparatory arrangements for these celebrations. `10 crore for Sultanpur Lodhi and `10 crore for Dera Baba Nanak and `25 crore for Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. Setting up a memorial to commemorate the ‘Jaito Morcha during the freedom struggle. Special allocation provided for completion of Sardar Beant Singh memorial and Saragarhi Memorial, Ferozepur respectively. `1235 crore allocated under various welfare schemes for Educational, Socio-Economic & other Development. Enhance the grant under the Ashirwad scheme to `21,000 from `15,000. Budget allocation of `150 crore has been made. Post Matric scholarship: ` 860 crore. Reservation quota for backward classes increased from 5%to 10%. Family income limit increased from `6 lac to `8 lac per annum. Monthly pension enhanced to `750/- per month, `1634 crore allotted. Under the Integrated Child Development allocation of `696 crore. 300 units per month of power free to the Freedom Fighters to be continued. For completion of the Punjab State War Heroes Memorial and Museum at Amritsar `8 crore provided. In addition `10 crore provided for Sainik Schools. `3020 crore for Rural Development & Panchayats against an allocation of ` 1605 crore in 2017-18 BE, an increase of 88.20%. MGNREGA scheme will be converged with schemes of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy to benefit at least 75000 households. `325 crore has been provided in the budget. Propose to construct 1597 additional class rooms to provide suitable learning environment for its students. `120 crore provided. Green boards: `21 crore will be spent during 2018-19 for all schools. Installation of RO systems in 1500 schools at an outlay of `9 crore. All Primary schools as well as all middle schools will be provided furniture. Allocation `23.14 crore. One existing school in every block will be converted into a smart school having state of the art facilities. Allocation `50 crore. Free sanitary napkins to all girl students from Class 6-12th in all government schools. `10 crore for this purpose has been provided. ‘Padho Punjab Padhao Punjab’ programme. `10 crore made to support the activities undertaken in the programme To provide all requisite text-books free of cost to students from Class 1st to 12th studying in Government schools during 2018-19. `49 crore provided. Ten new Degree Colleges will be opened, Budget allocation `30 crore. The total grant to Panjab University `42.62 crore in 2018-19 from the existing `33 crore. An additional one-time grant of `50 crore for Punjabi University, Patiala this year. 6% increase in Grant for all Universities. Punjab Naujawan Hunar Vikas Yojana `10 crore allocated National Health Mission (NHM), `914.57 crore proposed .18% higher against the last year allocation of `776.63 crore. To set up new hospitals at Doraha in Ludhiana and Ghanour in Patiala, and upgrade the existing Civil Hospital, Bathinda. New Highway Trauma Centres- `20 crore. Mukh Mantri Cancer Rahat Kosh, `30 crore proposed to provide financial assistance @ ` 1.50 lakh for free treatment to the cancer patient. State Cancer Institute at Amritsar costing `39 crore, and a Tertiary Cancer Care Centre at Fazilka costing `45 crore will also be constructed. A support of `25 crore will be provided to the Cancer and Drug De-addiction Treatment Infrastructure Board (CADA). Apart from this 600 more Heath and Wellness Centers will be taken up for strengthening and operationalization 2018-19. `22.50 crore proposed. For the National AYUSH mission, `24 crore proposed. Medical College at S.A.S. Nagar and two more Medical Colleges in the state. `73.34 proposed for the upgradation of Government Medical College Patiala and Government Medical College, Amritsar. To upgrade the Government Medical College, Faridkot and Advance Cancer Hospital Bathinda. `10 crore proposed. All Municipal Towns/areas would be made open defecation free under Swachh Bharat Mission. `100 crore provided A special assistance of `1540 crore will be availed from HUDCO to complete the balance works of water supply and sewerage schemes in 122 towns and cities . AMRUT Scheme: `500 crore for works such as water supply, sewerage, septage, urban transport and green parks for 16 towns 40.93 crore proposed to develop at least 1 park in each of these town For Smart Cities Mission (SCM). `500 crore provided. For Urban Transportation facilities, an Urban Transport Fund of around ` 75 crore will be constituted. 10,000 EWS dwelling units for eligible families. `335 crore for PMAY (U) and `38 crore for PSAY. Free power to farmers and subsidized power to SC, BC and Non SC-BPL category be continued. In addition, power to industry is being provided at a variable cost of ` 5/- per unit . `8950 crore made in the budget. PSPCL will also construct 800-1000 Ckt.-Km of transmission lines during the year at an estimated cost of `450 crore. `900 crore during the year 2018-19 for separation of AP feeders including Kandi area and strengthening of the Distribution System. For construction and maintenance of new roads, bridges and building outlay raised to `1067 crore. `100 crore for the ongoing New Judicial Court Complexes and other buildings. `230 crore for upgradation of 75 rural roads and 4 bridges with the assistance of NABARD. The State has got 5 roads as National Highways and work of upgradation of these roads shall be undertaken at an estimate cost of `1200 crore An amount of `315 crore for Up gradation, Construction & repair of Roads & Bridges which will also include the construction of Rail under Bridge at Gurdaspur, Rampuraphul, Gidderbaha, Morinda and Sujanpur, Rail Over Bridge at Dhakki, Mandi Gobindgarh, Malerkotla, Dina Nagar and Chugiti Lado Wali Road Jalandhar, High level Bridge at Talwara Jattan in Pathankot and Pantoon Bridges on river Satluj in Ferozepur and Sri Anandpur Sahib. `235 crore under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to complete works at 410 Km. Roads. Provision of `300 crore for 19 works of Roads of Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Barnala, Patiala, Amrtisar, Jalandhar, Muktsar, Fazilika, Faridkot and Tarn Taran benefiting 406 Km of Roads. `20 crore for maintaining the OPRC Network A special project for the repair of 16,000 kms of Link roads at the cost of around `2000 crore. We propose to take up the development of 16 new bus stands in PPP mode including those at Amritsar, Barnala, Batala, Bathinda, Balachaur, Dhuri, Mansa, Gurdaspur, Nakodar, Kartarpur, Patiala, Ludhiana, Sirhind, Jalandhar, Raikot and Ropar. `300 crore for the border areas in addition to `58.34 crore provided under the Centrally Sponsored Border Area Development Programme 800 habitations for augmentation of existing water supply schemes will be covered at an estimated cost of `600 crore. A proposal of `550 crore for coverage of quality habitations with canal based water supply schemes submitted to Government of India. Water Supply Infrastructure in 55 villages falling under the Kandi areas will be upgraded at a cost of `20 crore. `150 crore provided for Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin. To tackle water logging problem caused by Rajasthan Feeder canal and Sirhind Feeder canal. `152 crore provided. 60,729 hectares of water logged land in South Western districts will be desalinated and reclaimed through a special project. `145cr provided. Relining of Channels of Patiala Feeder and Kotla Branch.`19.80 crore and `11.68 Provided. Relining of Bist Doab `50 crore. Repair and Reconstruction of Distributaries /minors `66.50 crore. A special Lift Irrigation Scheme at a total outlay of `46 crore to boost agriculture in Sri Anandpur Sahib. For setting up of additional power generation capacity of 206 MW and to resume the construction work of Shahpurkandi Dam national project `70 crore. A strong Green initiative to present the Budget documents as a soft copy - meagre savings of `48 lakhs, but has saved 200 trees from being cut.
