Hailing the Budget 2014-15 presented by the Finance Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa today in the state assembly, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal termed it as a 'balanced and growth oriented budget, which would further propel the tempo of overall growth and development of the state besides ensuring prosperity of all sections of society especially the poor and underprivileged ones.
In a statement issued here today, the Chief Minister said that the 'zero tax' budget had taken care of all the core sectors i.e. Health, education, Power, infra structure, social security and others besides pushing the state in the orbit of high growth trajectory. Mr. Badal also mentioned that the budget for 2014-15 would also bring in far more financial discipline with economic prudence in narrowing down the fiscal deficit with a focus on the enhancement of revenue through resource mobilization. Highly appreciating the budget proposals for 2014-15, he said that special allocation of funds worth Rs 109 crore to combat the problem of drug abuse and Cancer besides making budgetary provisions for the safety of women, eradication of unemployment amongst youth and path breaking steps to be taken to keep the fiscal stress in check had been incorporated in the budget, which spoke volumes of state government's commitment to take on these issues on war footing.
Expressing confidence that NDA government at centre would be responsive to the problems of the border areas of the state, the Chief Minister said that our state would now reach the zenith of glory in terms of development and prosperity as it was blatantly neglected by the previous UPA government. Mr. Badal also lauded the proposed allocation of Rs 500 crore for imparting skill development training to nearly three lakh youth during the current fiscal. He also commended the path breaking initiatives to strengthen the power sector in the state, with an outlay of Rs 3200 crore, which constitutes 16% of the total plan of this Rs 1150 crore had been earmarked for transmission, Rs 750 crore for generation and Rs 1250 crore for distribution with a thrust to ensure uninterrupted quality power supply to the consumers at affordable rates. The Chief Minister envisioned the current budget as a roadmap for the revival of industrial sector and imparting fresh impetus to the stagnated agrarian economy of the state. He said that the current budget was a milestone which would go a long way in setting new parameters of growth and development to cherish aspirations of people of Punjab in near future.