Former Himachal minister termed state’s budget as “udhaar ka budget”

Dharamshala: Himachal Pradesh’s former urban development housing and town planning minister Sudhir Sharma reacting on the state budget said that the budget presented by the state government yesterday was directionless and dire. 
While interacting with the press, he described the budget as absolutely baseless. He said that the amount given by the ADB to the state government for development works has neither been spent nor government has renewed the MoU signed with them, due to which that amount is now lapsed. He described this budget as a borrowing budget (udhaar ka budget).
He said that SJPNL, a company formed for drinking water and sewerage in Shimla, which was formed by the former government at the behest of the World Bank and World Bank was ready to give budget to 14 other urban bodies besides Shimla. Due to lack of work, the World Bank has taken strong cognizance, due to which the state may lose 900 crore projects.
Sudhir said, “The MEA (Ministry of Economic Affairs) has put a stop on the additional amount of about 1900 crores for not being able to work on the schemes under the ADB bank, which has caused a huge loss to the state. Similarly in July 2016, the World Bank has taken strong cognizance of its 1100 crore given  of Horticulture development project  to the state , of which around  1.5 Lakh gardeners has to be benefited  from this project, which has  33 percent of the women, who have also been deprived of it.”
He further said that due to not being able to execute the projects on time, Himachal can be put in the category of non-performing state, which will cause huge loss to the state.
He said, “Rs.28 crore was received from the Sports Authority of India for the construction of hostels for the players in Sakoh (Dharamshala),during the time of the former Congress government, on which the present state government has not spent even a single rupee.”
Sudhir Sharma said that the state government should be more transparent on the expansion of Kangra Airport and said that the Chief Minister of the state should make it clear on the ground that when it will start the process of compensation to the people and how much area will be affected in this project.
Ex-UD Minister said that the CM should clear that the Rs.100 crore mentioned in budget for given by the state government on the smart city, is the same  money  which was given by the last  state government or the chief minister has issued another instalment of Rs.100 crore for the smart city.

Budget to ensure welfare of all sections and development of state: Ministers
Shilma; Urban Development Minister Sarveen Chaudhary and Industries Minister Bikram Singh have said that the Budget 2020-21 presented by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur in Vidhan Sabha would ensure welfare and overall development of the state. In a joint press statement issued here today, Ministers said that relief has been provided to all sections in the budget and the state would move forward on the path of progress, which is clearly evident.
They said that special emphasis has been laid on Agriculture, Horticulture, Irrigation and Rural Development so that the income of farmers can be doubled. A massive campaign for construction of houses for poor and scheduled castes families would be launched. With the view to create employment opportunities for the youth special emphasis has been laid on infrastructure, roads, energy sector, transport and investment. Similarly, emphasis has also been given on the expansion of tourism in the state and provision of adequate funds has been made for this.
Ministers said that in the budget to eradicate malnutrition among children has been proposed, which is an important initiative. Additional nutritious food would be given to Anganwadi children with a cost of Rs 30 crore. Similarly, children of pre-primary class will also be given nutritious mid-day meal.
Sarveen Chaudhary and Bikram Singh said that to reduce congestion pressure in Shimla town, it has been proposed to relocate the vegetable market from Ganj Bazaar, whereas in order to tackle the parking problem in Mandi city multi-storey parking and commercial complex would be constructed. Similarly, for the sale of products of women self-help groups in urban areas would be linked to  e-market, so that they could get fair price for their products.
They said that with the formation of Himachal Pradesh Investment Promotion Agency there would be an increase in private investment, as through this, investors would get the desired approvals at the earliest. For the promotion of handloom and handicrafts, clusters would be set up in every district with the cost of Rs. 58 crore under Parampara Yojana, through this the products of tanners, weavers and artisans would get fair price in the market. Under the Mukhyamantri Swavalamban Yojana, 35 percent subsidy has been announced to provide livelihood to widowed women up to 45 years of age.
The ministers said that 49 more panchayats of the state would be connected with roads and 1000 km new roads and 650 km roads would be upgraded under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. National Highways Paonta Sahib-Gumma-Feedus Bridge and Hamirpur-Mandi will be developed as Green National Highways while the work on Kiratpur-Manali, Shimla-Parwanoo and Dharamshala-Gagret will be improved under National Highways Security System. In the budget this year, 925 km of motorable roads, cross drainage on 900 km roads, 1800 km of paved roads, construction of 75 bridges and 90 villages have been targeted to be connected with road facility.
They said that in the budget, it has been proposed to strengthen police department, teachers, sewing teachers, mid-day meal worker, water carrier, ASHA worker, water guard, para fitter/pump operator, Panchayat Chowkidar, Anganwadi/Mini Anganwadi Worker, Anganwadi Assistant and revenue part time workers honorarium would be increased. Daily wage would be increased from       Rs. 250 to Rs. 275 per day and those 5500 employees of NPS retired before 2017 would get the benefit of gratuity. Under the Individual Group Accident Insurance Scheme, the sum insured of Rs. 5 lakh and partial damage of Rs. 2 lakh has been proposed.
Sarveen Chaudhary and Bikram Singh said that in the budget, it was proposed to fill around 20,000 posts in Parivahan Nigam, Electricity Board, Police Constable, Teachers, Part Time Multi Task Worker, Doctor, Para Medical, Revenue, Public Works, Animal Husbandry Department and other departments, which would provide employment to thousands of educated unemployed youth.
The ministers said that it has been proposed to start  Rs. 158 crore project to solve voltage problem. Besides this, 65000 wooden poles would be replaced and subsidy of Rs. 2000 per k/w would be given for early implementation of solar projects./(City Air News)