Chandigarh, March 5 (,Naresh Sharma ): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday hailed the budget 2024-25 presented by the Finance Minister Harpal Cheema in the state assembly and described it as a step forward towards carving out ‘Rangla Punjab’ through inclusive, balanced and comprehensive development of  the state.

Punjab Chief Minister Praises ‘Zero Tax’ Budget

In a statement issued here today, the Chief Minister said that the ‘zero tax’ budget had taken care of all the core sectors i.e. Health, education, Power, infrastructure, Industry, Sports, social security and others besides pushing the state in the orbit of high growth trajectory. He said that this budget will further propel the tempo of overall growth and development of the state besides ensuring prosperity of all sections of society especially the poor and underprivileged ones. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that for the first time the budget of the state has crossed the figure of Rs 2 lakh crore as the Punjab government has initiated several path breaking initiatives for public welfare.

Chief Minister Highlights Tax Revenue and Sector Allocations

The Chief Minister said that the Tax Revenue has been much higher i.e. 13% as against compound annual growth  rate  of  8%  during  2012-17  and  6%  during  2017-22 adding that this  shows that   delivery   depends   upon   clarity   of   thought   and   determination   to convert thought into actions. He said that his Government  had promised  “Rangla Punjab” and has  been  focusing on    key    areas    such    as    Good    Governance,    Education    and    Health. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that an   allocation   of   Rs 13,784   crore   has   been   earmarked   for   the agriculture and allied sectors in the next financial year.

Chief Minister’s Initiatives for Agricultural Development

The Chief Minister said that to bring the farmers out of the rut of wheat paddy circle an  allocation  of  Rs. 575  crore  has been made in  Financial Year  2024-25  for  various  Crop Diversification  Schemes. He said that allocation of Rs 9,330 crore in Financial Year 2024-25 towards power subsidy for agriculture will also ensure the welfare of farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the proposal to construct a  new  Malwa  canal  project with an aim to  cover approximately   1,78,000   acres,   benefiting   the   districts   of   Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur and Muktsar will reduce reliance on groundwater    and    optimize    the    under-utilized    Punjab’s    share    of Beas-Satluj river water during the Rabi period.

Education sector will receive a budgetary outlay of Rs 16,987 crore

The Chief Minister announced that for the first time, the Education sector will receive a budgetary outlay of Rs 16,987 crore in Financial Year 2024-25, representing around 11.5% of the Total Expenditure. He allocated Rs 100 crore for schools of eminence and earmarked Rs 10 crore for schools of brilliance to further enhance the education sector in the state. Additionally, he proposed Rs 10 crore to establish a “School of Applied Learning” for imparting skill education to students and allocated another Rs 10 crore for Schools of Happiness for overall student grooming. Bhagwant Singh Mann highlighted that the health sector received a budget of Rs 5264 crore to ensure the provision of quality health services to the people.

Budget for 2024-25 will also bring in far more financial discipline

The Chief Minister that the budget for 2024-25 will also bring in far more financial discipline with economic prudence in narrowing down the fiscal deficit with a focus on the enhancement of revenue through resource mobilisation. He said that with this budget our state will now reach the zenith of glory in terms of development and prosperity. Bhagwant Singh Mann envisioned the current budget as a road map for the revival of the industrial sector and imparting fresh impetus to the stagnated agrarian economy of the state.

Current budget is also a milestone

The Chief Minister said that the current budget is also a milestone which will go a long way in setting new parameters of growth and development to cherish aspirations of people of Punjab in near future. He said that the budget is reflective of pro-people policies of the state government adding that it aims to serve the weakest of the weak and poorest of the poor sections of society in the right earnest. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the budget is the outcome of the pragmatic approach of the AAP government to achieve the objective of overall development and prosperity in a holistic manner.