BUDGET 2019-20: Govt aims massive push to public infrastructure
JAMMU, DECEMBER 15: Devised to give a massive push to the public infrastructure, Rs 88911 crore state budget for the fiscal 2019-20 was approved by the State Administrative Council (SAC) headed by Governor Satya Pal Malik.
Advisors to the Governor, K Vijay Kumar, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and Kewal Kumar Sharma, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam and Principal Secretary to the Governor Umang Narula were present at the specially convened SAC meeting here this evening.
Principal Secretary Finance, Navin K Choudhary gave a detailed presentation to the SAC on the Revised Estimates for 2018-19, Budget Estimates for 2019-20 and other key features of the budget.
The SAC was informed that the focus of the Budget 2019-20 is to give a big push to tangible developmental initiatives with Rs 30469 crore earmarked for building public and social infrastructure in addition to Rs 3631 crore already provided under Languishing Projects Programme.
SAC observed that investment in infrastructure is the growth driver for economy and has a cascading impact on all sectors including employment generation and socio-economic development.
According to Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam, the Budget 2019-20 is structured around three fundamental objectives of Building Infrastructure, Building Institutions and Building Systems under the Government’s overarching Mission for Delivering Development and Mission on Good Governance.
He said the Budget is aimed at driving the state’s economic growth through multifarious initiatives with thrust on substantive developmental and welfare measures. He said the investment in key developmental and social sectors has been enhanced substantively to leave a visible impact on the ground.
Chief Secretary said to build adequate capacities in the Line Departments for spending huge developmental funds, it has been decided that the line departments would be adequately strengthened by way of providing consultants, setting up of dedicated DPR preparation cells and Project Implementation Agencies and IT Consultants etc.
BUDGET 2019-20HIGHLIGHTS
- Infrastructure
Rs 30469 cr earmarked for investment in development sector during 2019-20
Rs 3631 cr additional investment in 1643 languishing projects;
To build spending capacity, Line Departments to be provided funds for hiring Consultants, creating DPR Preparation Cells, Project Implementation Agencies, IT consultants etc
- Local Governance
Rs 2573 cr to flow to Panchayati Raj Institutions & Rs 1030 cr to Urban Local Bodies in next 15 months
Every Panchayat to get Rs 20 lakh to Rs 1 crore depending upon area, population
2000 posts of Accounts Assistants proposed to be created for Panchayati Raj Institutions
MGNREGA funds proposed to be supplemented by 10% capital infusion from the State Exchequer to create quality assets
- Rural Development
State allocation for Rural Development Department proposed to be doubled to undertake works of urgent public need
Rs 7 cr state share proposed to be provided to Rural Development Department for solid waste management
Rs 1 cr additional funds proposed to be allocated to Rural Development Department for construction of quality pathways in mountainous villages
- Agriculture /Horticulture
Annual allocation to Agriculture Sector proposed to be enhanced by Rs 20 cr
50% subsidy proposed for all new Controlled Atmospheric Stores to be established next fiscal
50% subsidy for refrigerated vans for transportation of perishable vegetables/fruits
Provision of Rs 9.18 cr to meet freight subsidy for transportation of cut-flowers to promote commercial flower cultivation
- Education
Rs 250 cr proposed to be allocated for upgradation of infrastructure in existing, New Degree Colleges
Rs 100 cr proposed to be allocated for providing benches and desks for students in primary and middle schools
Rs 45 cr proposed to be allocated for providing assured electricity, drinking water supply to schools
Rs 5.5 cr proposed to be allocated for reactivating EDUSAT, setting up additional Smart Classrooms in schools
Rs 3.50 cr proposed to be provided to help prepare students for competitive exams like IAS/KAS/JEE/NEET/Banking
Rs 1000 cr proposed for regularization of RRTs, SSA teachers
- Healthcare
Rs 350 cr proposed for completion of under-construction buildings of Medical Colleges, District/ Sub-district Hospitals, PHCs etc
Rs 100 cr proposed for onetime augmentation of equipment in hospitals
Rs 87.09 cr state share proposed for AIIMS Vijapur& AIIMS Awantipora
Rs 32 cr additional State share for 5 New Medical Colleges
Rs 1.50 cr for purchase of 5 Critical Care Ambulances for hilly districts
Rs 1 cr for establishment of Drug-de-Addiction Centre at SKIMS Medical College Bemina
Sonam Narbo Hospital, Leh proposed to be upgraded to 300 bedded Hospital for which a provision of Rs 3 crore has been made
- Power Sector
Rs 5000 cr earmarked for power purchase
Rs 300 cr proposed over and above normal outlay, PMDP and Centrally Sponsored Schemes for upgradation of power distribution network
Rs 55 cr proposed for promotion of Solar Power
- PHE/Irrigation & Flood Control
Rs 1500 cr allocation proposed to augment drinking water supply
Mega drinking water supply project on Chenab River to be taken up for execution to augment potable water supply in Jammu
Rs 150 cr proposed for upgradation of irrigation facilities
State share provided for Shahpur Kandi Dam project and Ujh multipurpose project
Rs 12 cr provided for purchase of dredgers for Irrigation & Flood Control Deptt
- Roads and Buildings
Additional Rs 1000 cr proposed for completion of languishing connectivity projects
Annual allocation for macadamization proposed to be enhanced from Rs 100 crore to Rs 400 cr for 2019-20
Rs 100 cr proposed for land acquisition of PMGSY roads
Rs 20 cr for beautification of bri9dges and flyovers in Srinagar and Jammu
- Industries & Commerce
Rs 400 cr proposed for augmentation of infrastructure including waste disposal in existing and upcoming industrial estates
Pending issues of amnesty on interest and penalty of power arrears of industries resolved
- Social Welfare
Budgetary allocation provided for coverage of 40000 new pensioners under old age, widow, destitute scheme
Rs 4 cr proposed for improvement of Bal Ashrams, Home for Mentally Ill Persons and Old-Aged Persons
Full funding provided for all existing schemes of Social Welfare Department for underprivileged sections of society
- Tourism
Rs 130 cr for tourism promotion in addition to Rs 2000 cr under PMDP for infrastructure upgradation
- Culture
Rs 50 lakh for nomination preparation process for “World Heritage Licensing of Mughal Gardens by UNESCO”
Rs 1 crore each proposed for establishing dedicated Art Galleries in Srinagar and Jammu
Rs 1 cr provided for construction of Planetarium near Kala Kendra Jammu
Rs 25 crore to be provided for establishment of Art & Culture Centres at district level
- Youth Services & Sports
Rs 350 cr proposed for massive upgradation of sports infrastructure
Rs 5 cr for promotion of youth exchange programmes
- Institutions
Rs 4 cr for construction of Anti-Corruption Bureau Headquarters
Rs 2 cr each untied grant provided to all District Development Commissioners for current and next fiscal
Aspirational districts of Baramulla and Kupwara provided Rs 1 crore each over and above untied grant
- Transport
Rs 25 cr for subsidy for purchase of 500 new buses in private sector
Rs 36 cr for revival of SRTC
Rs 25 cr for purchase of Low Floor Buses
- Housing & Urban Development
Metropolitan Authorities to be created for Srinagar and Jammu with an initial outlay of Rs 100 cr
Rs 500 cr for construction of drainage and sewerage network, STPs
Rs 10 cr for installing high mask lights in Srinagar and Jammu
Rs 10 cr proposed for riverfront development in Jammu city and connecting Vikram Chowk with Gujjar Nagar bridge along river Tawi
- IT Infrastructure
Rs 15 cr for providing dedicated IT infrastructure at Civil Secretariat, Jammu to avoid relocating of computers and other paraphernalia during Durbar Move
Rs 5 cr for digitization of office records of Civil Secretariat
Rs 3 cr for installation of robust LAN Network in Civil Secretariat