Finance Minister Devda presents Madhya Pradesh Budget focused on ‘aatmnirbhar’ state; no new taxes
BHOPAL / Amid a massive uproar by Opposition MLAs, Madhya Pradesh Finance Minister Jagdish Devda on Wednesday presented the state budget worth Rs 2.79-lakh-crore for the financial year 2022-23 in the Assembly with the fiscal deficit of Rs 55,111 crore. No fresh taxes and no hike in existing taxes were provisioned in the budget.
For the first time in the state, a separate budget of Rs 27,792 crore has been provisioned for the children. The effort has been made to remove the blot of highest MMR and IMR as recently released report of NFHS-5, from the state.
The Finance Minister began his budget speech saying the aim of the budget is to make Madhya Pradesh ‘Atmnirbhar’ state.
Terming the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led government a failure, Congress MLAs stepped into the well of the House shouting slogans and walked out towards the end of the speech. The Opposition claimed that the government has failed to provide jobs and stop cow slaughters. The Congress legislators accused state government of sending those farmers to jail, who failed to pay electricity bill.
Meanwhile, Devda told the House that the fiscal deficit is expected to be around Rs 55,111 crore and dearness allowance has been increased to 31%, from the existing 20%.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that opposition should stop creating ruckus and allowed citizens to hear the budget. “If you want to oppose the budget, you are free to do but do it after budget speech. Let the people listen to the budget.”
“A total of 11 new industrial clusters will generate, with this, 11,000 employment opportunities will be created”, the minister said.
Expressing commitment towards farmers, the FM minister said the state will introduce cow welfare scheme and geographical indication tags for crops. With crop insurance, Rs 21,000-crore power subsidy and other schemes, the state has offered Rs 1.72 lakh crore to farmers, Devda added. “Besides improving the existing roads, we plan to build 4,584 km new roads.” He further added.
Announcing a global skill park, the FM told the House that the government was working for increasing quality education, a total of 360 CM rise schools would be opened. A budget of Rs 12.47 crore has been provisioned for promoting virtual learning in government schools, the minister stated. New solar energy plants and a medical device park have also been provisioned.
Power sector has received a budgetary provision of Rs 2,500 crore, while the minister claimed that work on Atal Pragati Path in Chambal region has started.
A total of 217 charging stations for e-vehicles will be installed in Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur and Indore. The health sector has got a Rs 13,642-crore budget allocation.
The 2,035 MBBS seats in government medical colleges will be increased to 3,250, while soon 22 government medical colleges will be functional in the state.
The minister said the state is due to host ‘Khelo India Youth Games’ and accordingly Bhopal will get a shooting and rowing centre, while Gwalior will get the centre of excellence status for a hockey academy. Bhopal will also get a world class sports centre in Barkheda Nathu.
Finance Minister performs Puja
Earlier, Devda along with his wife Renu performed puja at his residence before leaving for state assembly. Renu Devda greeted her husband applying Tilak. A cabinet meeting chaired by CM Chouhan was held at State Assembly, in which budget speech was approved.
