BONANZA FOR YOUTH IN HP BUDGET
With eye on state assembly elections due this year, chief minister Virbhadra Singh, who also holds the finance portfolio, refrained from imposing any new taxes for the current fiscal year (2017-18) and also made some populist announcements with an aim to appease all sections of the society.
Singh, who presented his 20th budget on Friday, allocated ₹150 crore for the unemployment allowance scheme. As per the scheme, ₹1,000 per month would be given to unemployed 12thpass youth.
The CM also announced ₹1,500 per month for the disabled.In addition to this, ₹100 crore has also been set aside for Skill Development Allowance in 2017-18.
‘DEMO SLOWED DOWN GROWTH RATE’
Chief minister Virbhadra Singh also blamed the slow growth rate on demonetisation. The economic survey of the state for 2016-17, projected a growth rate of 6.8% for the current fiscal.
EDUCATION
The government announced “Prerna Plus” for enhancing the learning ability in students of Class 1 to 5 and “Prayas Plus” for Class 6 to 8.
FOOD SAFETY
To provide subsidised ration to the inmates of Tibetan Children Villages, a budget provision of ₹220 crore has been made.
HEALTH
The government announced to set up tertiary Cancer Care Centre in Shimla and Mandi Districts at the cost of ₹45 crore. The government also announced to enhance the critical care package under Swasthya Bima Yojana from ₹1.75 lakh to 2.25 lakh. The online registration system will be introduced in other hospitals.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
The government announced to start a skill-based “Graduate Add-on Program” in 2017-18 to enhance the employability of college students.
ROADS
The government allocated a budget provision of ₹50 crore for 2017-18 for installation of steel crash barriers, installation of convex mirrors in PPP mode on U-turns and cat’s eye on both edges of the road.
EMPLOYEES
The government also proposed to enhance emoluments by 75% of Grade pay in 2017-18 for the contract employees.
FINANCE
The revenue deficit in 2016-17 was 0.75% of the state's economy while the fiscal deficit was 4.23% of the gross state domestic product. In 2017-18, the revenue deficit will be 0.73% and fiscal deficit is estimated to be 3.50% of GSDP.