Amid criticism from the Opposition for not spending the budgetary allocations during the current fiscal, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who also holds the Finance portfolio, will present budget proposals for 2013-14 in the UP Assembly at 11 am on Tuesday. This would be the second budget preentation for the Chief Minister.

The budget is expected to be tax-free but deficit. Finance department sources hinted at almost 15 per cent increase in the budget size as compared to `2,00,110.61 crore budget in the present fiscal of 2012-13.

“Adequate arrangements of resources to meet increased size of budget have been made. This includes over 20 per

cent increase as compared to the last year in the state’s own tax revenue,” the source said.

With rumours flying thick and fast about 2013 being the election year, the Akhilesh Government plans to include over 200 new schemes worth `13,500 crores. Besides, a provision of `23,000 crore for development and strengthening schemes of infrastructure facilities like roads, bridges, irrigation and energy is expected — which is almost  7 per cent more than the last year.

“The last budget was aimed at implementing the promises made during SP’s election campaign. This one would aim at furthering the progress of the state in infrastructure and industrial sectors. Emphasis would be also be on improving law and order,” the source maintained.

In the last budget, a provision of `2,721 crore was made for giving tablets and laptops for class X and XII pass students. Similarly, `446 crore was earmarked in 2012-13 budget for reviving Kanya Vidyadhan schemes.

However, the Opposition criticised the SP dispensation for not utilising the sanctioned funds during the current fiscal so far. According to reports, the  government has spent around 50 per cent of the `2 lakh crore sanctioned funds in 2012-13 so far.

leader of the Opposition in UP Assembly, Swami Prasad Maurya said that development has come to a naught as the SP government failed to utilise the funds. ‘’When the government is not capable of spending funds why is it seeking budget for the next fiscal,’’ Maurya said.

Revenue and Relief minister, Ambika Chaudhury defended his government by saying that real picture of expenditure during the current fiscal would be disclosed in the Assembly.

‘’The expenditure of the Government has been upto the mark and there was no laxity in spending money on development or welfare works,’’ he said.

Congress leader and MlA Pramod Tiwari said the SP government should not be in a hurry to spend the remaining funds as it will lead to corruption and irregularities in financial expenditure.

BJP state chief laxmikant Bajpai said: “The government will have to tell the state legislature reasons for not spending sanctioned funds.’’