Schemes for youth, Ayodhya focus of Rs 5.12-lakh cr UP budget

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, February 18

The Yogi Adityanath government on Tuesday presented a Rs 5,12,860.72 crore budget for FY 2020-21, which also includes Rs 500-crore allocation for constructing an airport in Ayodhya.

The budget, presented by state Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, focuses on allocation of funds for various infrastructure projects like Purvanchal Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway and Ganga Expressway.

The budget sets aside Rs 5,000 crore for a “Yuva hub” in every district and Rs 1,200 crore for Kanya Sumangala Yojana.

The UP Government has allotted Rs 2,000 crore for Jewar airport and Rs 20 crore for UP Police and forensic institute.

UP Chief Minister Adityanath said the budget was designed to speed up infrastructure and social welfare with special focus on education and health.

The state government expects to earn Rs 37, 500 crore from excise and Rs 23,197 crore from stamp and registration.

Yogi said Rs 250 crore had been set aside for the “One District, One Product” scheme. For the Agra metro project, Rs 286 crore has been earmarked, while Rs 358 crore for the Kanpur metro. The government has announced a pension of Rs 500 per month for destitute women. A sum of Rs 3,000 crore has been set aside for Jal Jeevan Mission in the rural areas.

With the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh two years away, the budget is likely to lay the roadmap for the BJP-led government.

The budget will increase the BJP’s social outreach with focus on tribals and deprived sections of society. The state budget will provide houses for Vantagiya, Musahar and Tharu tribals.