Chandigarh: Hailing the budget 2023-24 presented by the Finance Minister Harpal Cheema as ‘Aam Lokaan Da Budget’, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday described it as a the roadmap for a new, progressive and prosperous Punjab.

In a statement, the Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that this tax free budget has been presented exactly a year after his government has assumed charge in office. He said that this maiden full budget of his government is aimed at giving major fillip to the development of the state. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that the budget will transform the destiny of the common man (Aam Lok) by ensuring peace, progress and prosperity in the state.

CM said that as per the commitment of his government, the budget is the blueprint for restoring the pristine glory of the state. He said that the budget will give further impetus to the growth in every sector and ensure that the state witnesses comprehensive growth. Bhagwant Mann said that the day is not far when this budget coupled with pragmatic policies of the state government will help in the progress of the state.

He said that the state government has so far given 26,797 jobs to youth adding that the budget stipulates to regularly recruit and create an ecosystem for private jobs for Punjabis to check brain drain. He said that the total Budget Expenditure of ₹1,96,462 crore for FY 2023-24 reflects 26% growth compared to the FY 2022-23, which reflects the commitment of the state government to ensure uninterrupted development in Punjab. Bhagwant Mann said that the allocation for agriculture and allied sectors has been enhanced by 20% to take adequate steps for making farming a profitable venture.

Mann said that the provision to introduce a “New Agricultural Policy” with the objective to conserve natural resources and enhance farmer’s income will go a long way in bailing out the farmer from the current agrarian crisis. He said that an allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for a special scheme on diversification during the upcoming financial year will also act as a catalyst for the well being of farmers. Bhagwant Mann said that the proposal to provide crop insurance to farmers to save them from vagaries of the weather and other uncertainties is also a historic decision to safeguard the interests of the farmers.

He said that the proposal to set up the five new Horticulture estates in Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Patiala, Bathinda and Faridkot and proposal of keeping Rs 100 crore in the next financial year to nudge MILKFED to reach new heights will also go a long way in well being of the farmers. Bhagwant Mann said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that an outlay of Rs 17,072 crore for school and higher education has been kept which is 12% higher than previous year. He said that a budget of Rs 200 crore has been kept for upgradation of schools into Schools of Eminence adding that an allocation of Rs 18 crore for OBC students and Rs 60 crore for SC students has been kept.

CM said that provision to re-activate over 14,500 youth clubs in the State will help in channelizing the unbounded energy of youth in a positive direction. He also said that an allocation of Rs1,015 crore for Medical Education and Research will help in making the state a hub of Medical education. Bhagwant Mann also said that Rs 990 crore kept for providing assistance to the various State Universities such as Punjabi University, Patiala, PAU, GADVASU, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur State University of Law, Punjab University, Chandigarh, others and its constituent colleges will go a long way in complete overhaul of the education system in the state.

He said that Rs 4,781 crore has been kept for Health and Family Welfare which is 11% higher than the previous year. Similarly, he said that budgetary outlay of Rs 231 crore has been kept for employment generation and skill development which is 36% higher than the previous year adding that it will help in imparting quality skill training to youth. Bhagwant Mann said that it will help in creating a pool of skilled manpower to open new vistas of employment for youth.

Mann said that the state government will continue to facilitate the industrial units in the state by giving them a large number of fiscal incentives to boost industrialization in the state. He said that the “Punjab Sikhya-te-Sehat Fund” will act as a catalyst to transform education and health sectors by active participation of NRI brethren. Bhagwant Mann also said that modernization of the Police force will be ensured for keeping a strict vigil over law and order and to tackle crime.

Likewise, Mann said that a special fund has been earmarked to strengthen the infrastructure in the border districts of the State and combat cyber- crime. Bhagwant Mann said that the budget has laid due focus on supporting various welfare schemes and for empowerment, protection and holistic development of SCs, BCs, Minorities and all downtrodden sections of the society. He said that due focus has also been laid for renovation and upgradation of state infrastructure with a total budget outlay of Rs 26,295 crore which is 13% higher than last financial year.

He said that the budget has laid due focus on repair and construction of roads, comprehensive development of rural areas, cleaning and strengthening of the canal system, upgradation of the public transport sector, subsidized power and other sectors. He expressed hope that the budget will ensure that Punjab emerges as a frontrunner state in the country. Bhagwant Mann said that the budget marks the dawn of a new era in the state which will benefit each and every Punjabi.

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