With the total budget size of the Chhattisgarh Government for the current year reaching the level of Rs 74,339 crore as indicated by Chief Minister Raman Singh, Wednesday’s State Budget 2016-17 when presented in the Chhattisgarh Assembly might bring good news for a host of new sectors in terms of enhanced allocations.
Annual trends show Chhattisgarh Government heavily in favour of promoting non conventional sources of energy (especially solar power), mid-sized e-Governance projects, low-cost housing, horticulture and urban infrastructure.
Notably, the Rs 3,280 crore third supplementary demand for grants was passed by voice vote in the Chhattisgarh Assembly last week.
Chief Minister Raman Singh in his address to the House after the discussion between the members of the Treasury and Opposition benches was held on the third supplementary budget proposals for financial year 2015-16 said that there was a provision of Rs 67,546 crore in the State’s main budget during financial year 2015-16.
Taking together the first, second and third supplementary budgets, the total budget size of the Chhattisgarh Government for the current year has now reached the level of Rs 74,339 crore, he said.
Singh said that on account of weak monsoons and consequent drought situation in Chhattisgarh, a provision of Rs 80 crore had been made for providing 25 per cent short term loan exemption to the drought affected farmers.
Notably, the Chhattisgarh State Planning Commission had recently approved the ‘State Annual Plan 2016-17’ worth Rs 34,715 crore at the Mantralaya in Naya Raipur.
The meeting to approve the Annual Plan was chaired by Chief Minister Raman Singh.
Notably, Chhattisgarh’s approved sector-wise annual plan outlay for 2014-15 stood at Rs 26,615 crores.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister had stated that the State Government is keen on improving the lot of the last person in the remotest village. Various departments of the State should work in close co-ordination to achieve success. A detailed presentation was given before the approval of the final draft of the Annual Plan 2016-17. The plan proposals included improvement in irrigation facilities, increase in agricultural production, up-gradation and extension of network of roads, education, health, freedom from malnutrition and other crucial issues.
Singh had stated in the meeting that the interests of the farmers will be protected by enlarging the irrigation facilities and a Mission will be launched to increase food production by rapidly developing agriculture sector. The available irrigation facilities should be utilized to the maximum extent possible. A large number of Anicuts have been constructed over canals and rivers. Solar-energy driven pumps can help the farmers to a large extent, he had stated.
Moreover, Chhattisgarh has all the reasons now already to cheer 'Union Budget 2016-17' as a host of announcements made by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely is set to provide a major funding stimulus to various ongoing centrally sponsored projects in Chhattisgarh.
The Union Budget increased allocation under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to Rs 19,000 crore which will connect remaining 65,000 eligible habitations by 2019. Total investment in the road sector, including PMGSY allocation, would be 97,000 crore during 2016-17.
Notably, the Chhattisgarh Government has already announced it will soon commence work for construction of as many as 92 rural roads falling in left Wing Extremism (lWE) hit districts of the State.