Uttarakhand Finance Minister Prem Chand Aggarwal on Wednesday presented the state Budget for the financial year 2023-24 with a promise to focus on inclusive development. Aggarwal in his speech said the budget focuses on investment in human capital, inclusive development, increase in capital expenditure, and better availability of healthcare facilities.
Delivering his budget speech in Uttarakhand's summer capital Gairsain, Aggarwal announced an increase in capital expenditure. This year, the state's total budget is Rs 77,407 crore, an increase of 18.5 per cent over last year.
Aggarwal also announced a Rs 1,000 crore outlay for the Joshimath landslide area. In January, a landslide caused by slow subsidence in the Joshimath municipality resulted in over 700 houses developing cracks, forcing families and residents to relocate. Several roads, hotels, and hospitals were also affected.
Here Are Some Main Points Of The Uttarakhand Budget 2023:
- A provision of Rs 1,000 crore has been made for relief from landslides at Joshimath and other places.
- The state government announced the provision of Rs 815 crore in the Horticulture Department with a provision of a total of Rs 10,294 crore for agriculture.
- Rs 200 crore has been assigned for poly house and Rs 35 crore is assigned under the Mission Apple plan.
- Rs 1,443 crore has been given for irrigation and Rs 215 crore is given as payment for the sugarcane price.
- A provision of Rs 4,217 crore has been made for health and Rs 40 crore for the Atal Ayushman scheme.
- Rs 400 crore is assigned for the construction of Medical College and Nursing College.
- The government has also announced the provision of Rs 133 crores for the Public Service Commission.
- Rs 100 provision is made for workforce development, with Rs 40 crores separately assigned for Chief Minister Self Employment Scheme.
- Rs 302 crore for tourism and Rs 63 crore for Uttarakhand State Tourism Development Council has been allocated.
- Provision of Rs 26 crore for grants to industries.
- Provision of Rs 10 crore for basic facilities in Char Dham Yatra.
- Provision of Rs 10,459 crore for education and youth welfare. Provision of Rs 51 crore for excellent cluster school.
- A provision of Rs 2,850 crore has been made for social welfare.
- A provision of Rs 2,791 crore has been made for PWD. A provision of Rs 1,300 crore was made for infrastructure work in various departments.
- Provision of Rs 100 crore for G20 summit.
- A provision of Rs 1,251 crore has been made for energy.
- A provision of Rs 500 crore has been made for the Lakhwad project.
In his speech, the state Finance Minister said that special focus has been laid on youth power in the budget. The state government has resolved to make Uttarakhand strong. The budget has been prepared in this direction. Premchand Aggarwal also said that Uttarakhand will be made number one in the field of tourism.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "This budget is ‘Sankalp’ of Uttarakhand. It will help in realising PM Modi’s ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas.’ We have included all sectors in current budget, focusing on employment, horticulture, agriculture, start-up, tourism & industry."