Gujarat’s first woman Chief Minister Anandiben Patel’s influence in her Government’s maiden Budget was apparent as nearly 500 schemes related to women upliftment have been incorporated. The State Government allocated Rs 1,880 crore towards special requirements of women and girls for education, heath, nutrition, skill enhancement and economic empowerment.
State Finance Minister Saurabhbhai Patel, who presented his first ever Budget has focused on social sectors while presenting modified Budget estimates for 2014-15 (August to March) with overall Budget size of Rs 1,33,465 crore, which shows increase 0f 17 per cent compared to Budget size of 2013-14. Plan allocation for the year is Rs 71,330 for the Annual Development, which shows 21 per cent rise over the plan size of last year. Social sector accounts for 48 per cent of plan outlay focusing towards education, health, basic facilities etc.
As per Budget estimates, there was over all surplus of Rs 570 crore and revenue surplus of Rs 6,837 crore. However, the Finance Minister proposed for reduction in the tax revenue to the tune of Rs 422 crore. At the same time he proposed an increase of about Rs 314 crore in tax revenue. “There will be overall surplus of Rs 453.85 crore as per the tax proposal,” said Saurabh Patel.
Terming the budget as ‘Gender Budget’ Patel said that it is a humble attempt to draw the attention towards Government schemes and activities for benefit of women to give them priority in Government plan, schemes designs and economic activities.
“Eighty-seven schemes in the Budget are 100 per cent orientated towards women. Through this, Rs 1,880 crore has been provisioned towards special requirement of women and girls for education, health, nutrition, skill enhancement and economic empowerment. 408 other such schemes have also been identified through which women are benefited 30 to 99 per cent. A total provision of Rs 43,379 crore is made under these schemes,” said Patel.
There is a 22 per cent increase in developmental expenditure for the year to Rs 93,648 crore. Besides the social sector spend, the State Budget has made provision of Rs 5,067 crore for energy sector, under which the State Government will set up new substations, transmission lines as well as provide over 1,00,000 agriculture power connections during the fiscal. Also, the Government has made provision for construction of Narmada canals in Saurashtra region at the cost of Rs 1,406 crore, Rs 1,422 crore for North Gujarat and Rs 1,138 crore for Kutch region during 2014-15.
Commenting on the Budget, CM Anandiben Patel said the Budget proposals will infuse all round development of the State with empowerment of women, jobs for the youth and agricultural growth.