Ahead of LS polls, more focus on villagers in Rs 44,388-cr Himachal budget for 2019-20

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur focussed more on the rural population, which constitutes 80 per cent of the state, while presenting a Rs 44,388 crore 'populist' budget for the financial year 2019-20 in the state assembly Saturday.  No new tax has been proposed in the budget which saw an increase of Rs 2,948 crore (7 per cent) from Rs 41,440 crore in 2018-19.

The revenue receipts of 2019-20 are estimated at Rs 33,747 crore, whereas expenditure is likely to be Rs 36,089 crore -- leading to a revenue deficit of Rs 2,342 crore.  The fiscal deficit is estimated at Rs 7,352 crore for 2019-20, which is 4.3 per cent of GSDP. The net borrowing will be Rs 5,069 crore. 
Presenting his second budget, the chief minister, who also holds the finance portfolio, announced 15 new schemes for various sections.

In his three-hour address in the house while tabling the 168-page proposed budget, Thakur said an annual plan of Rs 7,100 crore is focused on increasing farm productivity, developing rural infrastructure, developing new sources of irrigation, flood control and social services.  Presenting the budget a few months before the Lok Sabha elections, he announced several schemes for farmers, including a Rs 150 crore Mukhya Mantri Nutan Polyhouse Yojna, higher budget outlay for anti-hail net, irrigation and flood control schemes, Mukhya Mantri Khumb Vikas Yojna, subsidy up to Rs 25,000 on indigenous cow breeds and Rs 2 per litre increase in milk procurement price.

Thakur also announced reducing power tariff from 75 paise per unit to 50 paise for irrigation.  He said the state government has got approval for projects worth Rs 10,300 crore from the Centre for externally aided projects. Most of the projects are aimed at uplifting the rural economy by providing support to agriculture, irrigation, water supply and energy, he said.

Thakur announced 50 per cent subsidy for barbed wire and chain link under the Mukhya Mantri Khet Sanrakshan Yojna.  He said breeding farm for Sahiwal and Red Sindhi cows will be set up with a total cost of Rs 11.21 crore. Besides, Rs 11,000 per annum will be provided as 'Varshik Loktantra Prahari Samman' to people who had been arrested during Emergency under the Maintenance of Internal Security (MISA) Act. 

The social security pension is proposed to be increased from Rs 750 to Rs 850 and from Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,500. More than 5 lakh persons will be benefited.  One additional LPG refill cylinder will be provided free of cost to the beneficiaries of Himachal Grihani Suvidha Yojna and Ujjwala Yojna. Two lakh families will benefit as a result in the next year.

The state government has decided that 10 per cent reservation will be provided to the economically weaker section (EWS) of the general category in employment and educational institutions, Thakur said.  Five drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres will be set up to tackle the drug menace. 'Yuva Navjeevan Board' will be formed under the chief minister to tackle trafficking and consumption of narcotics and rehabilitate addicted persons, he added.

Announcing a new Sahara scheme, he said financial assistance of Rs 2,000 per month would be given to patients suffering from grievous and debilitating conditions as such as Parkinson's, cancer, paralysis, muscular dystrophy, haemophilia, thalassemia and renal failure.  Diet allowance of people infected with HIV-AIDS will be increased to Rs 1,500 per month.

Thakur also said a new tourism policy would be introduced and a Master Plan for promoting eco-tourism will be prepared. Helicopter taxi services will be launched to connect more towns. The chief minister said hydel projects with an installed capacity of 500 MW would be commissioned. These include the 111 MW Sawra-Kuddu and the 100 MW Uhl Hydel projects.