Dushyant Singh Pundir
Dushyant Singh Pundir
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 1
The UT has been allocated a sum of Rs5,186.12 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 Rs5,138.10 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.
