The supplementary budget of about Rs1,157 crore for the financial year 2014-15 was passed with voice vote in the Chhattisgarh Assembly on Thursday. Chief Minister Raman Singh also made important announcements highlighting the features of the supplementary budget amidst a discussion in the House over the budget. Giving relief to the electricity consumers of the State, the Chief Minister said the State Government will provide financial support of Rs230 crore to the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company ltd (CSPDCl). To enhance the power generation capacity, expansion of units will be done and an interest free loan of Rs250 crore will be provided to Chhattisgarh State Power Generating Company ltd (CSPGCl) for the purpose, the Chief Minister stated.
He informed the CSPGCl has started tendering process for construction of proposed 1200 MW thermal power plant in Surguja division. Singh said the with the supplementary budget, the total budget of the State Government has reached to Rs58,307 crore. Highlighting the features of the budget, he said Chhattisgarh was the only State to provide Rs300 per quintal bonus to the farmers on paddy. The Government was providing Rs2400 crore bonus to the farmers for the previous Kharif marketing year and the first instalment of Rs1200 crore had been transferred directly into their accounts. The second instalment will be deposited in their accounts soon, he said.