UP CM presents tax free budget

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today presented a tax free budget of a size of Rs 2,74,705 crore for this fiscal, with a proposed deficit of Rs 4,132 crore.

The budgetary provisions are higher by 24 per cent as compared to 2013-14 financial year.While no new taxes have been proposed, there has also been no allocation for the ambitious free laptop, kanya vidyadhan and unemployment allowance promised by the ruling Samajwadi Party in its election manifesto during assembly elections in 2012.

The budget tabled in the assembly, showed an over 24 per cent increase from the last year's level of Rs 2,21,201.19 crore.The UP government has given thrust on infrastructural facilities like roads, bridges, irrigation and power sector, making a provision of Rs. 49,108 crore, about 82 per cent more than last time.

The Chief Minister, who is also handling the finance portfolio, in his budget speech stated that in the first phase the government had begun some programmes like unemployment allowance, laptop distribution and Kanya vidhyadhan for the youth.

He said in the second phase, the state government would lay emphasis on providing basic facilities in the rural areas specially in the slums.Allocations have also been made to promote investment and increase employment opportunities.

The budget has, however, made a provision of Rs 2,424 crore for government's ambitious Samajwadi Pension scheme that targets 40 lakh families, and Rs 7,625 crore for agriculture and associated services, 15 per cent more than last time.

While a provision of Rs 41,538 crore has been made for the Education sector, the government has raised allocation for the medical health and family welfare by 34 per cent to Rs 14,377 crore.

Besides a provision of Rs 25,522 crore has been made under the head of SC/ST, backward, handicapped and minorities welfare and Rs 50 crore for a scheme of rural road scheme named after the ruling party's late leader Ram Saran Das.

BJP Members boycotted the proceedings, saying a notice given earlier during the day was not considered.