Budget focuses on health and social welfare: Ministers

13% HIKE IN THE HEALTH BUDGET REFLECTS THE GOVT’S RESOLVE TO PROVIDE QUALITY SERVICES TO PEOPLE, SAYS HEALTH MINISTER

CHANDIGARH: A day after Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal presented the budget for the 2018-19 fiscal, his colleague Brahm Mohindra on Sunday praised the state government for giving top priority to the health sector by earmarking ₹4,015 crore for the upgrade of healthcare services in the state.

Health minister Mohindra said in a statement that 13% hike in the health budget manifests the government’s resolve to provide the quality and affordable health services to people. He appreciated Manpreet for presenting a pro-poor, pro-farmer and progressive budget.

The health minister said with the enhanced outlay for the sector, the prime duty of his department would be to improve services in government hospitals.

Social welfare and forest minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot too hailed the budget, terming it pro-farmer and developmentoriented. Dharamsot said the government is aware of the needs of the weaker and deprived sections of the society.

“The government has set aside ₹1,235 crore for the welfare of scheduled castes, backward classes and minorities,” he said.

Dharamsot said the government has increased the amount under the “Shagun” under Aashirwad schemes to SC, BC, Christian girls and widows from ₹15,000 to ₹21,000.

He said the beneficiaries would be paid under online banking management system to ensure transparency.

He also said the budgetary provision of ₹150 crore for the Aashirwad Scheme is praiseworthy.