Holistic development with a balanced budget
The UP Budget for fiscal 2019-20 envisages holistic development with fiscal consolidation . It is evident from the fact that the sectoral spending has been prioritised in such a manner that the fiscal deficit-GSDP ratio is pegged at 2.97 percent.
Besides, the budget has succeeded in generating revenue surplus implying government savings. These evince that despite the impending shadow of Lok Sabha elections, the government has abstained from presenting a populist budget. Rather, the focus is on accelerating the tempo of overall development of the state.
Rural sector comprising farm and non-farm activities has been given priority. Agriculture development schemes, crop insurance, seed, fertilizer, marketing and storage facilities have been allocated adequate funds. By realising the linkages between farm and non farm activities, the budget also focuses on augmentation and protection of livestock. This along with food and agroprocessing industries will propel rural growth and help doubling farmers income.
The CM self-employment concomitant with ‘one district one product’ schemes has been given due importance in the budget with total allocation of ₹350 cr. This carries huge potential of employment on a sustainable basis.
Hastened rural development will check migration from villages. Women empowerment has got due place in the budget with the initiation of Sumangala Yonana. The imperatives of this scheme are education and health. This will help realise the target of gender equality too.
Within the purview of social development, provisions have been made for Divyangjan. Significantly, ₹18 cr have been allocated for establishment of 7 centres for mentally retarded persons. For the livelihood of Divyangjan, ₹621 cr has been budgeted.
For balanced regional development, Bundelkhand and Poorvanchal have been provided special assistance.The budget has also made provisions for minorities scholarships and upgradation of madarsas. This reflects the inclusive nature of the budget.
Another imperative focus of the budget is on infrastructure comprising creation of new physical assets and maintenance of those already in existence. This will result in larger income and employment generations. Another paramount feature of the budget is its clout of tourism development. In fact, apart from social and ecoomic facets of development the cultural aspects of this budget merit special significance.
ANOTHER IMPERATIVE FOCUS OF THE BUDGET
IS ON INFRASTRUCTURE COMPRISING CREATION OF NEW PHYSICAL ASSETS AND MAINTENANCE OF THOSE ALREADY IN EXISTENCE.