Chhattisgarh Finance Minister OP Choudhary on Friday presented a budget of Rs 1,47,446 crore for 2024-25 in the state assembly, which gave a major thrust to the welfare schemes under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘guarantees’. No new taxes were announced in the first Budget of the Vishnu Deo Sai-led BJP government that took office in December last year.
Notably, the Budget was presented in a paperless mode, a first for the state, and underlined the BJP’s vision for the state till 2047, contributing to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat (developed India).
Choudhary, a former IAS officer, announced that a document titled ‘Amritkaal: Chhattisgarh Vision @2047’ will be dedicated to the people on November 1 this year to transform the state from a developing to a developed one.
Speaking about this document, he said the first midterm goal for achieving the vision under it will be doubling the GSDP in the next five years from Rs 5 lakh crore to Rs 10 lakh crore by 2028.
“The budget is focused on the economic development of GYAN, gareeb (poor), yuva (youth), annadata (farmers) and naari (woman), stimulating infrastructure growth by increasing capital expenditure, as well as employment and livelihood promotion for youth,” he said.
“The budget is an important step towards fulfilling (pre-poll) promises that were made under ‘Modi ki guarantee’,” he added.
The budget has earmarked significant allocations for development projects, including a grant of Rs 117 crore for Mahatari Vandana Yojna, which will be implemented from March 1, Rs 148 crore for establishing high-tech central libraries, and Rs 1,002 crore for housing under the Awas Yojana.
Key policies like the National Education Policy 2020 adoption and the establishment of Chhattisgarh Institutes of Technology (CIT) reinforce the government’s dedication to education upliftment.
The Budget focused on agriculture with a Rs 500 crore provision for the Deendayal Upadhyay Land Agricultural Laborer Scheme, as well as for religious tourism with allocations for Shaktipeeth project (Rs 5 crore) and Shri Ramlala Darshan Scheme (Rs 35 crore).
Choudhary said a provision of Rs 10,000 crore has been set aside for the Agricultural Advancement Scheme.
“The education system will be improved with the help of Artificial Intelligence. Also, the School of Commerce Studies will be started as a business-oriented course,” he said.
The minister said people will continue to get electricity bills in Chhattisgarh at subsidised rates.
He said a State Capital Region (SCR) will be established covering Raipur and Bhilai cities, while adding that industries will be established in Bastar for processing minor forest produce.
(with inputs from PTI)
Tune In