Budget step forward in creating Rangla Punjab: Mann

Chandigarh, Mar 5  Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday hailed the state budget for 2024-25 as a step forward towards creating ‘Rangla Punjab’ through inclusive, balanced and comprehensive development.
He said the 'Zero Tax' budget has taken care of all the core sectors like health, education, power, infrastructure, industry, sports and social security, besides pushing the state in the orbit of high growth trajectory. He said the budget will ensure prosperity of all sections of society, especially the poor and underprivileged ones.
Mann said for the first time the budget of the state has crossed the figure of Rs 2 lakh Crore as his government has initiated several path breaking initiatives for public welfare.
Mann pointed out that the tax revenue has been much higher i.e. 13 percent as against compound annual growth rate of 8 percent during 2012-17 and 6 per cent during 2017-22. This shows that delivery depends upon clarity of thought and determination to convert thought into actions, he said.
The CM said his Government had promised “Rangla Punjab” and has been focusing on key areas such as good governance, education and health. He said Rs 13,784 crore has been allocated for the agriculture and allied sectors in the next financial year.
He said to bring the farmers out of the rut of wheat paddy circle, an allocation of Rs 575 crore has been made in Financial Year 2024-25 for various Crop Diversification Schemes. He said allocation of Rs 9,330 crore has been made in Financial Year 2024-25 towards power subsidy for agriculture, which will also ensure the welfare of farmers.
Mann said the proposal to construct a new Malwa canal project with an aim to cover approximately 1,78,000 acres, benefiting the districts of Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur and Muktsar will reduce reliance on groundwater and optimise the under-utilised Punjab's share of Beas-Satluj river water during the Rabi period.
Mann said for the first time a budgetary outlay of Rs 16,987 crore has been made in Financial Year 2024-25 for the Education sector which is around 11.5 per cent of the total expenditure.
He said the budget for 2024-25 will also bring in far more financial discipline with economic prudence in narrowing down the fiscal deficit with a focus on the enhancement of revenue through resource mobilization.
He said that with this budget the state will now reach the zenith of glory in terms of development and prosperity. Mann envisioned the current budget as a roadmap for the revival of the industrial sector and imparting fresh impetus to the stagnated agrarian economy of the state.
Mann said the budget is also a milestone which will go a long way in setting new parameters of growth and development to fulfil the aspirations of the people in the near future. He said the budget is reflective of pro-people policies of the state government adding that it aims to serve the weakest of the weak and poorest of the poor sections of society in right earnest.