Appreciating the Union Budget presented by the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister said that it was one focused on villages, farmers, women, development and health services. He congratulated the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for presenting an appreciable budget for the nation.
Talking to media persons here on Thursday, the Chief Minister said that the budget presented was one that would benefit the economically weaker section of society.He said, “This budget has validated the State’s vision of cluster-based farming. By enhancing farm production through cluster based farming, it will help in strengthening the financial condition of farmers. The minimum support price for various crops has been increased by two and half times, which will help in doubling the income of farmers. The living standard of farmers and level of rural farming will improve through cultivation of aromatic plants and organic farming. An attempt has also been made to provide health insurance cover to 10 crore families (about 50 crore people).
A target has also been set for establishing one medical college in three lok Sabha constituencies which will help make living standards better and convenient. The Government will provide 12 per cent contribution in the EPF of employees. Apart from this, approval has also been given to `13,000 crore for roads in the State under the Bharatmala project,” said the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, the State Finance Minister Prakash Pant opined that the general budget will prove beneficial for Uttarakhand.
Talking to media persons at his residence in Haldwani, Pant said that the budget will facilitate all round development and also generate employment opportunities for the youth. He said, “A target has been set in the budget for doubling the income of farmers by 2022. Community farming has also been included in this.
There is provision in this budget for encouraging industries in the State which will provide employment to the youth. Many provisions have been made in the budget to favour the culture of the Himalayan state.
These also include residential scheme for Tibetan refugees living in Dehradun. Apart from this `4,200 crore has been allocated to Namami Gange project. The construction of the all-weather road project will also be expedited now,” said the State Finance minister.
Referring to the Bharatmala project, Pant said that through this project, road connectivity will be facilitated for area along the border with China and Nepal.
He said that additional PG seats have been sanctioned in Government medical colleges, which will help redress the shortage of specialist doctors in the state. He said that on the whole, the general budget is historic and will prove to be a boon for the State of Uttarakhand.