Amid Covid, healthcare gets Rs3K cr shot in Himachal Budget

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 6

The Covid shadow was evident on the Budget proposals for the financial year 2021-22 as Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today presented a Budget of Rs 50,192 crore with no new taxes. Various sections have got a marginal relief.

Thakur termed it a women welfare and social security-oriented Budget.

Admitting that Covid had resulted in the extremely difficult fiscal situation, Thakur, who also holds the Finance portfolio, said an attempt had been made to create jobs and strengthen health and education sectors.

“Our financial position remains a cause for concern with the debt touching Rs 60,500 crore. Several steps have been taken for the revival of economy, which is beginning to look up,” said Thakur. Despite financial constraints, 12 schemes had been announced, new social security pension to 40,000 and daily wage enhanced from Rs 275 to Rs 300 per day.

With a huge liability on account of salaries, pension and loan repayment, Rs 43.94 of every Rs 100 would be spent on development. The revenue receipts were estimated at Rs 37,028 crore while expenditure was pegged at Rs 38,491 crore.

The total revenue deficit was estimated to be Rs 1,463 crore while the fiscal deficit was projected at Rs 7,789 crore, which is 4.5 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). “As of now, there is no proposal to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel,” the CM said in response to a query.

The budgetary allocation for the core health sector witnessed an increase of 11 per cent to Rs 3,016 crore to meet the new challenges thrown up by the pandemic. The milk procurement prices were enhanced by Rs 2 per litre.

The government also decided to do away with the 30 per cut in the salary of the CM, ministers and MLAs while the MLA Area Development Fund was restored and enhanced from Rs 1.75 crore to Rs 1.80 crore annually.

As far as the employment generation is concerned, 30,000 functional posts in health, education, PWD and police departments would be filled, besides 7,000 jobs in the private sector.

The highlight of the Budget was Swaran Jayanti Naari Sambhal Yojna where 60,000 women above 65 years would be provided Rs 1,000 per month, under the Shagun scheme for girlchild belonging to the BPL category among the SC, ST and OBC category, Rs 31,000 be given at the time of their marriage and LPG cylinder refill to 3 lakh families under the Himachal Grihani Suvidha Yojna. Two girls from the BPL category, who were getting Rs 12,000 as post-birth grant, would now get Rs 21,000. There would be 25 per cent reservation for women in recruitment for posts of constable and sub-inspector.

The social security pension cover would be extended to another 40,000 beneficiaries which would incur an expenditure of Rs 60 crore. Honorarium of Anganwari workers was enhanced by Rs 500 per month, mini Anganwari helpers by Rs 300 and Anganwari helpers by Rs 300.

In the education sector, there was a proposal to start top-100 scholarship scheme, set up 100 maths labs, provide coaching and career counselling in all government schools and start the Him Darpan Shiksha Ekikrit Portal for making the education system more effective.

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