ATW NEWS
Himachal’s Promising Budget
Anni This Week Team Cover Story
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh presented his 18th state budget keeping in view economic resources. Besides being a tax free budget it has also kept 40.8o% provision for developmental works. The government has underlined the objectives to progress despite having limited financial resources. As majority of people are dependent upon farming and horticulture in Himachal, Chief Minister has taken due care of these sections in the budget.
Budget Lacks Innovations : Prof. N.K. Singh
Former Chairman of International Airports Authority of India Prof. N.K. Singh feels budget says nothing new and the same worn out items have been listed in the budget as cosmetic changes like minimum wages raised from Rs. 150 to Rs. 170 or increase of milk price by rupee one are just tinkering with the same incremental change attitude in absence of a quantum jump approach. It is a pity that even giving Rs. 1200 per year scholarship for two tribal kids is mentioned. “There is nothing new in the budget but everyone is getting a few pennies more. The fact is that government has failed to present any vision of development of Himachal, said Prof N.K. Singh while talking to Himachal This Week. “The growth has fallen from national average of 7.5 to state’s 6.5 and there are registered 981,033 employment seekers in the state that has not attracted any special attention except some nominal skill training bhatta. Could there be some projects where they might seek employment and relief in giving jobs rather than distributing kherat?” he says , adding that “63 helipads are pride of the government whereas roads are in shambles and no provisions made for improving state aviation, including airports. The government is only looking after rich and influential people rather than tourists/common people.”
Prof. Singh points that the budget doesn’t have any vision of urban development and attracting investment from private sector in developing new cities. “Even tourism is mentioned in figures that include most of the pilgrims and truck tourism is the bane of today’s influx. Himachal should focus on high end tourism to earn revenue and to grow business and jobs but there is no plan or idea to have PPP for marketing such programs,” he says.
Prof. Singh feels the need to revive SEZ and such other projects to change the economy and to give jobs but there is no thinking on this. “In sum budget is giving some loaves to everyone but these do not reflect any thinking of growth and development,” he stresses.
* The Budget is merely a jugglery of figures as nothing has been done to increase government’s revenue
-Prem Kumar Dhumal Leader of Opposition
* It is a directionless budget as the government has disappointed people due to its financial mismanagement
-Satpal Satti State BJP President
What People feel…
* It is a balanced budget within resources but lacks futuristic vision. The ratio of administrative expenses and developmental funds need to be corrected besides generating employment resources and tackling wild animal problem
-Kulbhushan Upmanyu Sihunta
* The budget is welfare-oriented and inclusive budget in an era of overhyped market-oriented economic policies. However, the government continues to be hesitant in bringing necessary taxation reforms
-Pinki Ramaul Paonta Sahib
* Sports facilities lying idle in different parts of the state should be utilized by deploying proper coaching and support staff. It will motivate youths towards sports and keep them away from drugs
-Bhupinder Singh Hamirpur
From Editor-in-Chief Desk
Chief Minister Virbhadra’s state budget is an effort to change the rural economy besides underlining the financial challenges ahead. Definition of resources from Central schemes, however, was changed even as all economic aspects were touched while preparing the budget. Chief Minister enhanced regional area development fund in consultation with MLAs besides bringing agriculture irrigation under its ambit. Every MLA will have a chance to connect with farmers and horticulturists through this scheme. Himachali farmers will have more possibilities to explore with budgetary provisions of cold storage and sixty percent subsidy for milk producing cooperative societies. Provision of fifty percent subsidy on micro irrigation schemes and creation of irrigation facility on their own is also appreciable. The government has prepared a blueprint keeping in view the problems of farmers and horticulturists that can instill confidence in rural economy. The present format of the budget has also indicated towards directions of Centre for strengthening financial positions of the panchayati raj institutions. The 14th Finance Commission has addressed the local bodies but the state budget is yet to open up on this issue. The budget failed to reveal the HIMUDA’s plan for establishing new towns and colonies for residential purpose. Questions stare at urbanization process even as eight hundred new buses received under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission are providing services. How will bus stands at Hamirpur and other places will turn to reality as ten crore earmarked for the purpose are not sufficient to even complete Nagrota Bagwan bus stand. Transport corporation might feel relieved after a provision of rupees two hundred crore but the budget has done nothing to improve the condition of other boards and corporations. It is difficult to gauge the happiness of a farmer after budget but the government has always tried to woo employees. Reducing contractual period to five years for regularization of employees, enhancing daily wages by rupees ten and regularization of daily wagers are appreciable steps and the government has tried to please different sections by taking such decisions. The government has earmarked rupees thirty five crore for sports stadiums besides preparing a blue print for indoor stadiums. The government has provided opportunity to artists by making a budgetary provision of rupees twenty five crores for construction of auditorium at district headquarters. Opening of a Fine Arts College is also commendable. Investment can be enhanced if the budget has shown some vision for infrastructure development and tourism. It is an effort to take economic responsibilities even as it is not possible to include aspirations of entire state in the budget
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