Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, S. Sukhbir Singh Badal today termed the Punjab budget presented by Finance Minister, S. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, as a progressive, pro-poor, pro farmer and growth oriented document which would give a fillip to the state economy and ensure inclusive development of all sectors.Hailing the budget as realistic, visionary and totally in tune with interests of all sections of society, Deputy Chief Minister also lauded the FM for adopting fiscal measures that had led to an estimated 5.96 percent growth in gross state domestic product (GSDP) at current prices for fiscal year 2016-17 as against 4.92 percent in the previous year. He said Mr. Dhindsa also deserved admiration for allocating financial resources for various development and welfare schemes dedicated to overall development of the State.
With a view to promote agricultural and allied activities in the state, Mr Badal appreciated the move to lower the VAT on cotton and yarn from 6.05 to 3.63 percent apart from exempting raw honey, bee keeping equipment and pig feed from VAT. The Deputy CM also commended the giving of 1.65 lakh tubewell connections besides priority connections for marginal farmers having land holdings below 2.5 acres.He said insurance cover to 11 lac farmers under Bhagat Puran Singh Bima yojna and setting up a Kisan Vikas Chamber at Mohali would surely work wonders for farming community besides allocating Rs 10 crore for debt ridden farmers and families to provide relief. Mr Badal said that insurance cover of Rs five lakh to each farming family under sehat bima yojna and interest free loan to the tune of Rs 50000 for farmers and launching farmers provident fund-compensation scheme would certainly reduce cases of farmers suicides.
He said the budget has kept interests of agricultural sector in mind as is evident from Rs 7490 crore for agricultural and allied activities besides crop husbandry and agricultural research. To promote skill development, a sum of Rs. 150 crore has been earmarked for Punjab Skill Development Mission.
Praising other development oriented measures, S. Badal said that Rs 4355 crore have been kept for power sector an important aspect of which includes Rs 102 crore for providing 24 hour power supply to left out dhanis.He also extolled the FM to abolish entertainment tax on cultural, musical and theatre shows which would go a long way in promoting Punjabi language and culture. Not only this but, accredited reporters would be provided with medical insurance and cashless treatment facilities on par with government employees.
To give a stimulus to housing sector S. Badal appreciated to resolve to provide 50 percent rebate on CLU, EDC and licence fee for affordable housing to LIG and MIG class besides 50 percent discount in stamp duty charges. He said reduction in collector rates by 15 percent and 25 percent rebate on CLU, EDC and licence fee on all new houses will provide a boost to the housing and infrastructure sector. Earmarking Rs. 2000 crore for rural mission and Rs. 6083 crore for urban mission besides 50000 affordable houses to slum dwellers, are a clear testimony of the state government’s firm resolve to tirelessly work and frame policies benefitting all the sections of society, he added.Hailing other landmark and progress oriented measures of the budget, Deputy Chief Minister said that earmarking of Rs 8732 crore for school education and Rs 835 crore for higher education for 2016–17 and allocation of Rs 1109 crore for roadinfrastructure besides Rs 10000 crore for national highways would further improve the road connectivity in the state.
S. Badal said giving special attention to industrial sector, a high tech cycle valley has been planned at Ludhiana besides an industrial manufacturing cluster in 200 acres at Rajpura. Besides this, in order to ensure tax compliance formulation of 'Apna Tax' scheme will encourage customers to seek bills from retail vendors.Highlighting the emphasis laid by Punjab government on social sector, S. Badal said Rs 1100 crore for old age and other pensions and earmarking Rs 1060 crore as against Rs 984 crore in the previous year for SCs, BCs and minorities besides an Outlay of Rs. 2339 crore for social security reflected the SAD-BJP government’s commitment of development for all. He added that under Atta Dal scheme Rs 700 crore has also been allocated for distribution of foodgrains to weaker sections.He said that to provide timely payments of college fees Rs 100 crore corpus for SC scholarship fund would redress the issue to which students and educational institutes were facing earlier. S Badal also lauded the various schemes under women empowerment launched by the FM like swasth kanya yojna, Mai Bhago women empowerment scheme, and Nanni Chaan skill centres scheme to promote the women to become financially independent.