Punjab Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today congratulated finance minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa for coming out with a budget targeted at fuelling infrastructure growth besides focusing on fiscal consolidation.In a statement here, the Deputy CM said capital expenditure had been increased so that more infrastructure works could be taken up. He said simultaneously financial prudence was also the hallmark if the State budget. This, he said, would result in fiscal consolidation.Badal also termed the budget as one which was aimed at all sectors and sections besides being a tax free budget. He said the budget represented the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal who always given top priority to fulfill the basic needs of the people by ensuring over all development of infrastructure in agriculture, power, roads, rural water supply & sanitation and irrigation sectors.
Appreciating the move to strengthen existing skill training infrastructure, Mr. Badal said that the state has set aside a budget of Rs. 500 crore to promote skill development culture for 3 lakh youth during the current year 2014-15. Mr. Badal also hailed the decision to allocate Rs. 50 crore for strengthening the infrastructure to enable the State to launch a vigorous campaign against drug addiction.
As a major relief to the border area farmers the compensation, to the farmers who were unable to cultivate their land due to fencing at international border, has been enhanced to Rs. 10000 per acre against compensation of Rs. 2500 presently. He recalled that this scheme was initiated by the previous NDA Government but later discontinued by the congress led UPA Government.He said that Punjab has the highest SC population across the nation and for the welfare of the community; the state has earmarked a total Rs. 6432 crore out of Rs. 20,100 crore which was highest in the country.Reiterating the strong resolve of Punjab Government to make full payment to the cane growers during 2014-15, Mr. Badal said that the Government has provided 186 crore to SUGARFED to clear the arrears.