Some sectors needed closer attention
Minister Rajesh Agrawal unlocked his “bougette” with additional 12% for Uttar Pradesh. Much awaited reformatory budget of ₹900 crores is allocated to beef up law and order by increasing and modernizing number of police stations and training police force. Enduring agony of sugar industry, especifically in government and cooperative sector, has been awarded a respite of ₹75 crores. Agriculture, husbandry, and dairy sector has been allocated a whopping ₹1600 crores for farm protection and development.
Possibly realizing moderate progress of urbanization in Uttar Pradesh, Agrawal also granted about ₹20000 crore in various schemes such as Pradhanmantri Avas Yojna (Gramin), Mukhyamantri Avas Yogna (Gramin), National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, and National Rural Livelihood Mission (Gramin), Smart City Mission Scheme, and Swachh Bharat Mission. Employment sector has also been paid significant attention and monies has been awarded to various schemes -One District, One Product, Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarojgar Yojna, and Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojna with specific emphasis on micro, small and medium enterprises.
Basic infrastructure, health, education, environment, woman and child welfare, aviation and tourism are other beneficiaries of Agrawal’s bougette.
While, one can applaud Agrawal for his futuristic vision and unbiased focus on diverse sectors, some sectors could have been paid closure attention. For example, while education sector has been allocated significantly increased budget, there is opaqueness in ways in which various education schemes will be implemented. Also, we may need to know whether higher or elementary education will be bestowed more funds. Also, vocational training institutes such as ITI and polytechnic colleges are somewhat ignored. Also, whereas there is apparent alignment between central government schemes and budgetary support, the intention is equivocal- whether its mere appeasement or need based.
Civil aviation and road infrastructure also have been given insufficient attention. Uttar Pradesh significantly and dangerously depends upon road transport. Heavy dependence on roads leads to more expenditure on maintenance. Currently, none of UP’s major cities are connected with aviation sector. This is detrimental at several levels. For example, this immensely limits growth of tourism as well as international business.
Also, unfortunately, none of state funded education institute has national or international presence. Agrawal might have looked at IIM and IITs for partnership with state level local educational and government educational institutes.
While Agrawal’s suitcase definitely has enlarged and become more inclusive, the countrymen from UP await corruption less and effective implementation.