While presenting the last budget of his tenure, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is expected to focus on welfare of the minority community besides emphasising on youth, farmers, social welfare and infrastructure development projects. The CM, who also holds the Finance portfolio, will present the budget for the 2016-17 fiscal in the Assembly on February 12.
The CM approved major proposals to be included in the budget on Friday which are likely to be placed before the state cabinet meeting likely on Monday.
Most of the proposals for the minority welfare were to be presented in the Assembly during the last monsoon session in August in the form of a `Sankalp’ (resolution). The proposal was however deferred to the next budget session.
Official sources said that the state government in its last budget is likely to introduce several new schemes for the minority community. The prominent scheme to be announced is likely to be the provision of hostels for Madarsa students. A provision of Rs 400 crore is expected in the budget for setting up hostels in 250 state-funded madarsas.
The government is likely to announce some populist schemes replacing the `Hamari beti, Uska kal’ scheme which was discontinued following strong disapproval by SP MlAs who felt it bred discontent and polarised masses on religious lines during the May 2014 lok Sabha polls. The other schemes are enhanced financial provision of Rs 400 crore for construction of boundary walls of graveyards. More assistance is likely to be given to Waqf Board and outlay for the education hub for minority community students is expected to be hiked which will envisage model schools for boys and girls in 20 districts with dominant Muslim populace.
The outlay for centres for imparting coaching for competitive examinations is also proposed to be increased. The state government in April 2013 had earmarked 20 percent of the budget of 85 development schemes for welfare of the minority community, particularly Muslims