Dainik Nation News Portal
The newly elected BJP government in Uttarakhand today yesterday a deficit Budget of Rs39,957.79 crore for 2017-2018 with thrust on electrification of every village by 2019, starting of stalled power projects, developing of religious places as religious circuits and increasing internet connectivity in blocks and tehsils.
The total revenue expenditure for 2017-2018 is estimated at Rs31,550.83 crore, leading to a fiscal deficit of Rs5,471.42 crore. The capital expenditure for 2017-2018 is estimated at Rs8,406.96 crore.
In the last fiscal (2016-2017), the total expenditure was estimated at Rs32,049.06 crore. Further, the new BJP government had also done away with the practice of classifying Budget as planned and non-planned in the Budget document. Though the Planning Commission had become redundant, the erstwhile Congress government in the state had continued with the practice.
The government made the highest allocation for rural development at Rs2,14,76,303 crore, followed by Public Works Department at Rs1,94,36,293 crore, medical and family welfare at Rs1,92,33,061 crore, welfare schemes at Rs1,43,97,456 crore. The government has also clubbed education, sports, art and culture and has made a combined allocation of Rs6,63,34,614 crore.
While tabling the Budget in the House, Finance Minister Prakash Pant said: “The Budget is inspired by the ideals of Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, who spoke about economic self-reliance by making provisions for roti, kapda, makaan, padhai aur dawai.”
He spoke about the steps initiated by the government for ensuring zero tolerance for corruption in the day-to-day functioning of the government. These include setting up biometric attendance systems in government offices, initiating e-filling system for quick disposal of files, launching integrated management system and strengthening of e-procurement model.
