New Delhi: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel presented the state budget for the financial year 2022-23 in the assembly today.
In his budget speech, Baghel announced to reintroduce old pension scheme, which provides an assured pension to government employees after retirement.
The announcement makes Chhattisgarh the second state to reintroduce the scheme after being scrapped in April, 2004.
The Chief Minister also announced to set aside an amount of Rs 2 crore under the Chhattisgarh Rojgaar Mission for creating new job opportunities.
The annual assistance under the Rajiv Gandhi Bhumihin Krishi Majdur Nyay Yojana was also increased from Rs 6,000 to 7,000 per annum, reported news agency ANI.
The Atal Bihari Vajpayee government at the Centre had scrapped the old pension scheme in 2004. The Congress party is now working to reintroduce the scheme in states where it is in power.
The government has also decided to wave off Vyapam examination fee for local candidates. The allocation of funds to MLAs has been increased from Rs 2 crore to Rs 4 crore in the budget. While the allowance to a Sarpanch has been increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 per month.
The budget also granted Rs 10 crore for construction of hostels for graduate students and residences for employees of Raipur Medical College.