A tad more in Chandigarh Administration kitty

Dushyant Singh Pundir

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 1

The UT has been allocated a sum of Rs 5,186.12 crore for the fiscal 2021-22 in the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament today. With a major push for housing and urban development, energy and education, the allocation is Rs48.02 crore more than the Budget estimates of the last year, which were Rs 5,138.10 crore, logging an increase of 0.93 per cent.

Of the total Budget of Rs5,186.12 crore, the UT Administration has got Rs4,567.67 crore under the revenue head, which is Rs76.29 crore less than the last year. Under the capital head, the UT has been allocated Rs618.45 crore, an increase of Rs124.31 crore. Funds under the capital head are meant for development works while the finances under the revenue head are spent on salaries and other recurring expenses.

The Administration had sought nearly Rs5,670 crore from the Centre for the fiscal 2021-22 for various projects, including power, education, transport etc.

There was a marginal increase in the allocation under revenue head and capital head for power and renewable energy projects. The Centre has provided Rs788.51 crore and Rs37.55 crore against Rs753.75 crore and Rs35.71 crore given last year, respectively. The funds are meant for transmission and distribution of power, new and renewable sources of energy, promotion of model solar city programme and construction work of the Electricity Department.

The Centre has allocated Rs87.02 crore for police housing and allied works, including development of infrastructure, building, renovation of existing residential houses, etc. Last year, the UT had received Rs62.96 crore under the category.

For ecology and environment, forestry and wildlife, forest conservation and development, plantation scheme, communication and buildings, preservation of wildlife, acquisition of land for forestry, Botanical Garden, etc, the Centre has allocated Rs34.47 crore.

For purchase of new buses, replacement of condemned buses and bus stand upgrade, computerisation of the CTU, construction of link road and purchase of video coach buses for intercity transport, the Centre has allocated Rs45.74 crore.

Funds for welfare of women, children hiked

There has also been a minor hike in the funds to be spent on the welfare of women and children. The Centre increased the funds from Rs24.98 crore to Rs25.12 crore this year. The funds will be spent on renovation, addition or construction of government buildings, home for old and destitute, protection centre for runaway couples, creches for children of working mothers, setting up of UT Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, etc.

Rehab instt for persons with intellectual disabilities

To improve health services in the city, a 50-bed community health centre will be upgraded to a 250-bed hospital. A regional trauma centre, a mental health institute and a government rehabilitation institute for persons with intellectual disabilities will be constructed.

New ITI to come up in city

The overall allocation for education is Rs849.50 crore for the fiscal 2021-22. Last year, the sector was granted Rs843.73 crore. The education funds have been provided for modernisation and purchase of equipment, development of infrastructure for the NCC, providing amenities/services and construction of a new polytechnic, a government polytechnic for women and an industrial training institute.

UNION BUDGET
MIXED RESPONSE

While the Industries Association has hailed the reduction in import duty on steel scrap, which will give a boost to the MSMEs in the state, the common man is unhappy as there is no reduction in income tax slabs.

‘Good for MSMEs’

The Budget is good for MSMEs as the import duty on steel scrap has been reduced, which would further give a boost to the steel industry of the state. However, the imposition of agriculture infrastructure and development cess (AIDC) on fuel would not only hit the common man but also industry as the cost of raw material would go up.

Yogesh Sagar, president, Mohali Industries Association

‘No respite for common man’

It appears the Budget has been prepared to benefit corporate houses. There is no reduction in tax slabs to give some relief to employees. The AIDC would further increase the prices of essential commodities.

Shamsher Purkhalavi, Principal, ITI Mohali

‘Big relief for senior citizens’

Exemption from the filing of income tax return for senior citizens aged above 75 years is a welcome step. Though we were expecting the government to announce a minimum of Rs 5,000 old-age pension. The automobile scrap policy for allowing petrol and diesel cars up to 20 years old to ply is also a big relief for senior citizens.

Swarn Chaudhary, president, Mohali Senior Citizens Assn

‘Non-filing of ITR no big respite’

The non-filing of ITR would hardly help senior citizens as the income from the interest on FDs has already gone down from 9.5% to 5.9 % in the past seven years. Further, AIDC has been introduced at a time when fuel prices are skyrocketing.

Sukhwinder Singh Bedi

‘No relief for Covid-hit traders’

There is no relief scheme for traders who suffered huge losses during lockdown. Also, there is no pension scheme for traders, who are the major taxpayers. There is no relief in GST too.

Kamaljit Singh Panchhi, president, Chandigarh Traders Association, Sector 17

‘Focus on livelihood’

We appreciate the fine balancing done to soothe the economy as well as boost it by way of increased capital expenditure, focus on creating physical infrastructure and healthcare spending. The Budget ticked all the right boxes of lives, livelihood and growth.

Nikhil Sawhney, Chairman, CII Northern Region

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