Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh presented the budget for the year 2013-14 today in the house. In this budget Singh estimated the total budget expenditure for 2013-14 is `21767 crore out of which estimated expenditure on salaries is `6956 crore, on pensions it would be `2839 crore, estimated interest payments would be `2431 crore, and loan repayments are expected to be `1714 crore apart from `342 crore on other loans and `1721 crore on maintenance.
As per budget estimates for 2013-14, the total revenue receipts were estimated at `17700 crore and the total revenue expenditure is estimated to be `17646 crore leaving a revenue surplus of `54 crore. The expected receipts in capital account of the Government are `3540 crore apart from `650 crore in Public Account including Provident Fund etc. Capital expenditure including loan repayments is estimated to be `4120 crore. The fiscal deficit for 2013-14 is expected to be `2324 crore which is 2.85% of the GSDP. Thus, as per the budget estimates, against an expenditure of every 100 rupees, the State will have `81.31 as total revenue receipts including transfers from the Centre. The state Govt will have to fill the gap of `18.69 by borrowings. Out of every 100 rupees of State revenue receipts, `30.35 will accrue from own tax revenues, `13.52 from non-tax revenues, `15.35 from share in Central taxes and `40.78 from Central grants. Out of every 100 rupees spent, salaries will account for `31.95, pensions for `13.05, interest payments for `11.17, loan repayments for `7.87 and the remaining `35.96 will be spent on developmental works including other activities.
In his budget speech, Virbhadra Singh thanked the people of Himachal Pradesh for giving congress decisive mandate in the Vidhan Sabha elections. He said that the people of Himachal Pradesh have rejected the wrong policies of the BJP Government and have reposed full faith in the progressive policies and programmes of the Indian National Congress.
Singh reiterated that the Government was committed to all round and balanced development of all regions of the State and all sections of the society with special focus on the poor and the downtrodden. He informed that Govt has adopted the Congress Manifesto as the policy document of our Government and instructions have been issued to all the departments to formulate policies and programmes in the coming years, keeping in view the provisions of the manifesto. He claimed that many of the promises made in the manifesto are being fulfilled in this first budget itself.
Virbhadra Singh said that the Government would provide clean and transparent administration. He said that there will be zero tolerance towards corruption. All the cases pertaining to corruption will be investigated expeditiously and those found involved will be brought to justice by ensuring speedy trial.
To deliver the good governance, every department in State Government would scrutinize it’s Acts, Rules and Guidelines and suggest amendments to simplify the procedures to make them public centric. All the departments will complete the exercise within next 3 months. He said that the State Government is committed to bring efficiency and transparency in the delivery of Government Services. To ensure time bound delivery of services, HP Public Services Guarantee Act will be implemented strictly and Govt will bring more departments in the ambit of this Act, CM added. For ensuring speedy redressal of public grievances received directly or on e-Samadhan portal, Govt to appoint a State Commissioner (Public Grievances) to monitor the timely disposal of public grievances. Singh also announced to frame “Electronic Services Delivery Rules” to give a legal framework to services are being provided electronically.
The 12th Vidhan Sabha has been constituted on the basis of fresh delimitation. Due to this, the boundaries of constituencies have got overlapped with different administrative units causing inconvenience to the people. In order to address this problem, CM announce to set up an “Administrative Boundaries Re-organization Commission” for proper re-organization of boundaries of administrative units of various departments for ensuring better governance.
He also announced to set up State Innovation Fund for new initiatives with an initial outlay of `5 crore.
Information Technology
To provide Government Services at the doorstep of the citizen, Govt to open Lok Mitra Kendras in all the Panchayats of the State. These Kendras will be equipped with broadband connectivity under National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) to all the Panchayats to extend IT services and facilitate IT business such as opening of BPOs at Panchayat level to generate additional employment. Govt will also encourage setting up of IT parks and Electronic manufacturing clusters in the State.
Economic Scenario of the State
Singh said that the Himachal Pradesh has emerged a leader in hill area development and in a short spam it has become an ideal destination for investment in power and tourism sector. CM stated that as per the Advance Estimates for 2012-13, the Gross Domestic Product of Himachal Pradesh has grown from `63812 crore in 2011-12 to `72076 crore in 2012-13. The Per Capita Income at current prices has increased from `74694 in 2011-12 to `82611 in 2012-13.
CM said that a plan outlay of `22800 crore for the 12th plan has been got approved from the Planning Commission, which is an increase of 65% over the 11th Plan. In this plan, our focus will be on provision of education and health, Food Subsidy. 12th Five year Plan & Annual Plan 2013- 14, infrastructure like roads, energy, irrigation, drinking water supply and agriculture. He said the year 2013-14 is the 2nd year of the 12th five year plan. Govt has proposed an annual plan outlay of `4100 crore for 2013-14 as compared to the current year’s approved outlay of `3700 crore which marks an increase of nearly 11%. The Annual Plan for 2013-14 lays higher priority on sectors such as agriculture, power, roads, education and health. I would like to inform the Members that 33.45% of the annual plan has been allocated for provision of Social Services which shows our continued commitment towards the socio- economic development of people of state.
Agriculture and Horticulture
In his budget speech, CM lauds the role of agriculture and stated that it plays a very important role in the economy of the state. The protected cultivation through polyhouses enhances agriculture productivity and to promote it Govt would now grant 85%subsidy for small and marginal farmers for the construction of polyhouses.
CM also proposed to start “Integrated Crop Diversification Programme” to bring additional 3000 Hectare area under vegetable cultivation where farmers will be organized into groups and motivated to diversify from food grains to vegetable crops. He also announced the cultivation of mushroom would be treated as an agriculture activity. To protect and give relief to the small and marginal farmers in the State, CM announce to give 50% subsidy on the seeds of high yielding variety of maize, paddy and fodder for the coming kharif season.
Virbhadra Singh also proposed to start “Mukhyamantri Adarsh Krishi Gaon Yojna” under which Agriculture Development Plans will be prepared for 68 Panchayats, one in each assembly constituency in the state on a pilot basis. Each selected panchayat will be provided `10 lakh as gap filling funds for creation and upgradation of agriculture infrastructure. Based on the results obtained, this scheme can be extended to other panchayats. He also laid emphasis on promoting Organic Farming through bio-villages and proposed to bring 2000 hectare area under Organic Farming. He also announced to construct seven sub-market yards in the state at a cost of `20 crore.
In the budget, Singh also mentioned to protect the crops from stray animals and announced that Govt would take up the work of providing live fencing of fast growing utility trees and shrubs along the boundary of fields belonging to the small and marginal as well as SC, ST & BPL farmers under MGNREG scheme. To restrict the stray animal in the forest the State Government would take help from the NGOs/Trusts and would provide financial assistance to them for setting up and running of Gaushalas for provision of cowsheds, fodder etc. Singh also proposed a budget provision of `1 crore for this purpose for 2013-14.
Singh also announced to continue the weather based crop insurance scheme in 2013-14, and announced to borne the 25% premium by the State Government. To address the challenges of post harvest losses due to inadequate infrastructure, Govt will encourage private entrepreneurs to invest in integrated cold chains, grading, food processing and packaging industries for fruits like Horticulture. kinnu, malta, mango, apple and orange. For this purpose, Govt will also provide government land on lease at a concessional rate.
To protect the apple and other crops from the hail, Virbhadra Singh announced to provide good quality anti hail nets to horticulturists on 80% subsidy. He proposed a budget outlay of `165 crore for Horticulture in 2013-14.
Animal Husbandry
Govt will start the Multi disciplinary veterinary services and Farmer’s Capacity Building Centre as well as Embryo Transfer technology Laboratory established at Palampur during the Year 2013-14. Sheep Breeding Farms of the Department at Jeori (Shimla), Tal (Hamirpur) and Sarol (Chamba) will be strengthened. To augment income of goat breeders, a project for improving productivity of goat will be launched under which 20 clusters having 2000 goats in each cluster will be covered for providing feed supplements, medicines and vaccines to the goats. To provide training to staff and farmers of the state, a fully equipped training centre with hostel facilities will be established at Ghanahatti, Shimla at a cost of `1 crore 75 lakh.
To boost the dairy farm activity in the state, CM announced to increase the procurement price of milk procured by MILKFED from the existing `17.80 to `18.80 per litre w.e.f. 1st April, 2013. Himachal has nearly 10,000 fishermen families and to facilitate them the State Government will start a new scheme named Backyard Fish Farming under which fish ponds would be constructed. The Government will also provide financial and technical support in setting up Trout Farms.
Forest and Wild Life
To save the forest from Lantana, Govt is aiming to treat 5000 hectare of infested forest area during 2013-14 and will plant the species of fuelwood, fodder. CM said that the herbal wealth of the State requires protection from illegal extraction and also scientific management for generating income for the farmers. During 2013-14, I propose to allocate `10 crore to raise 45 lakh herbal plant species, which shall be planted in the state.
To curve the monkey menace Govt has proposed to set up six new monkey sterilization centres in districts Sirmour, Chamba, Mandi, Solan, Kangra and Bilaspur with existing four. To restrict monkey in the forest, Govt would launch a special programme of planting wild fruit plants and shrubs so that they get sufficient food in their natural habitats. The fruit plants will be procured from the nurseries maintained by the farmers.
To protect forests from fire, Govt has fixed a target of cleaning/maintenance of 1000 kilometre fire lines during 2013-14. Department will also formulate a policy for collection and supply of pine needles to the industries for use as fuel and promote setting up of pine needle based industries. CM proposed a budget outlay of `422 crore for the forest department for 2013-14.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj
Government is committed to make every panchayat in the state, a Nirmal Panchayat under “Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan”. Govt will also ensure that all the Government Schools in the state have separate toilets for girls and boys. The toilets will be constructed in schools using MGNREGS funds and gap funding of material component will be done from the state Government fund.
Virbhadra Singh also renamed the State Housing Scheme to Rajiv Awas Yojana and announced to enhance the grant under this scheme from `48500 to `75000. Govt will recruit 200 Panchayat Sahayaks. CM also proposed total fund devolution of `244 crore from various sources to PRIs for 2013-14.
CM also announced to bring an additional area of 33,000 hectares under Integrated Watershed Management Programme at a cost of `105 crore. The computerization of Record of Rights is already complete in the state. In 2013-14 Govt aiming to complete digitization of cadastral maps in districts Chamba, Sirmour, Mandi and Hamirpur so that the people also get digitized copy of map alongwith copy of the record of rights.
The e-stamping system for collection of Stamp Duty has been started in 9 districts and remaining 3 districts namely Lahaul & Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba will be covered in 2013-14. Collection of Registration fee shall also be done through this mechanism. In the budget speech, CM also announced to replace court fee stamps with electronically generated stamps in the next year.
Irrigation &Public Health
To ensure to provide safe drinking water and extending irrigation facilities CM in his speech propose to provide 70 LPCD to 2500 habitations during 2013-14, who are not coved so far. He also proposed to provide funds to install 2000 hand pumps during the next financial year.
CM apprised speaker that the Government will prepare a Five Year Action Plan to increase the net irrigated area to atleast 50% of the net sown area so that farmers can get assured crop and livelihood from agriculture. CM proposed a budget outlay of `20 crore for command area development which will be increased as per the actual demand. He also proposed an outlay of `55 crore for 2013-14 for Medium Irrigation Project, Phina Singh in Nurpur Tehsil of Kangra and `35 crore for Medium Irrigation Project, Nadaun. Govt will also take up the work of medium irrigation projects Koncil to Jharera and Mandop Thona to Satyar Khad in District Mandi and Sukka Har in District Kangra. He further propose an outlay of `138 crore for minor irrigation during 2013-14 with a physical target of 3000 hectares.
To protect the land of farmers in District Mandi, Hamirpur & Bilaspur from floods, Govt propose to take up channelization work of Seer Khad in a phased manner. In 1st phase, a DPR amounting to `23 crore has been approved for channelization work from Jahu to Bamm area of District Bilaspur. Under 2nd phase, the DPR amounting to `62 crore for channelization of Seer Khad from Barchhawar to Jahu is under process. Similarly, the DPRs amounting to `48 crore for channelization of Swan River phase-3rd below Santokhgarh bridge upto Punjab border and DPR for channelization of Chhonch Khad in Tehsil Indora, District Kangra amounting to `236 crore are under process with Central Water Commission. CM propose a total budget outlay of `1483 crore for Irrigation and Public Health during 2013-14.
Power
CM said that Himachal has harnessed 8375 MW Hydro Power Potential in the State and to ensure to increase the capacity of harnessing the hydro power, CM also announced to constitute a High Powered Committee for the speedy statutory clearances by various departments and execution of micro, mini and large projects.
To ensure 24 hour power to all consumers, CM announced to strengthened the distribution network by commissioning of 20 High Voltage Lines of capacity 66-KV & above with an outlay of `207 Crore and 55 distribution schemes of capacity 33KV & below shall be taken up for execution with an estimated outlay of `156 Crore. The hydro power producers will be asked to pool the transmission lines and also explore the possibility of laying under-ground cables for evacuation of power to save the precious land. CM also proposed a budget of `270 crore for subsidising domestic consumers of electricity.
Industries
In budget speech, CM Virbhadra Singh said that his Govt has always accorded top priority to planned industrialization in the State. He announced that three new state of the art industrial areas would be developed in district Una, Solan and Kangra. To promote food processing industry, the State Government will come out with a ‘Vision Document’ and road map within a period of 3 months for promotion of such industry throughout the State. CM said that a Tool Room-cum-Training Centre will be set up at Baddi for which land measuring 15000 square meters has been allotted. This will provide tooling facilities to the industry and also help in skill development of unemployed youth.
The State Government will strengthen the existing system for timely grant of approvals for setting up of industries in the State. The clearances by State Level Single Window Clearances and Monitoring Authority will now be given within a period of 90 days of receiving the application. Various departmental clearances will be ensured within this period before the authority gives the final clearance. The Public Service Guarantee Act will also be suitably amended to ensure time bound clearances by the concerned Departments. Govt also lowered the CST to 1.5% on the existing industrial units in the State with effect from 1st April, 2013 and to lure the new investors, CM announced that the new industrial units will be given the facility of concessional CST @ 1%, which will be applicable five years or till the implementation of GST.
CM also informed Speaker that under Mukhya Mantri Gramin Parivahan Yojna, the eligible persons will be granted permits for plying of buses on rural roads. During 2013-14 Govt will identify new routes for grant of permits.
The government will also locate suitable land for setting up of Transport Nagars near industrial areas and close to cement factories on PPP basis which will have multiple facilities like parking, vehicle repair shops and eating places. CM also announced `10 crore for construction and upgradation of the Bus Stands at Sub Division and Block headquarters.
In the budget CM also proposed grant and equity of `160 crore to ailing HRTC in 2013-14. He also announced to modernization HRTC fleet.
Roads
Singh in his budget speech ensure to upgrade the state highways and major district roads. CM said that in 2013-14, Govt have fixed a target of construction of 475 kilometre motorable and 40 km. jeepable roads. Besides this cross drainage work on 620 km and metallingtarring on 570 kms will be carried out. 35 bridges will be constructed during the year and 80 villages will be connected by road. I am proposing a total budget outlay of `2291 Crore for the Public Works Department in 2013-14.
He informed that the World Bank funded PMGSY Rural Road Project was launched by Government of India during 2010-11 under which there is a provision of `1182 crore for Himachal Pradesh. So far, 177 road works with cost of `230 crore have been sanctioned. Under PMGSY Government of India can release more funds to the State. However, the main problem being faced is that the people are not coming forward to donate their land, as per the norms of PMGSY. I will urge the members of this august House to use their good offices to motivate people to donate land for roads so that Himachal can build roads to all unconnected villages by using 100% grant funds from Government of India.
Environment, Science and Technology Excise & Taxation
CM said that the Department of Excise and Taxation is the major revenue earning department of the state. We will take various initiatives not only to enhance the revenue but also to facilitate the dealers as well as the consumers.
He informed that the State Government has successfully extended the facility of filing e-returns, e-declaration, e-tax payment and issue of C&F forms online to the registered dealers having turnover of `1 crore and above. Now, I am pleased to announce that these facilities will be extended to the dealers having annual turnover of `40 lakh and above. They will be able to get these services from their offices or shops without visiting the office of the Excise Department. I am also happy to announce that from 1st April, 2013, the dealers will not be required to file hard copies of the monthly/quarterly returns filed online except the copies of Annual return. This change will save a lot of time and energy for these dealers. These dealers will be intimated about these services through SMS as well as email.
CM announced to start e-services for issue of passes and permits to the Excise licensees in the State to facilitate these licensees to get passes at their own premises, without visiting the offices of the Excise Department.
He also announced that the registration fee under the H.P. VAT Act, CST Act, Passenger & Good Tax Act and Luxury Tax Act will be abolished for the new dealers to facilitate their early registration. The present classification of goods under the VAT Act does not have any codes and the absence of proper commodity indexing creates disputes of tax rates. In order to avoid litigation and for the sake of simplification, the commodities under various schedules appended to the Himachal Pradesh VAT Act, 2005 will be assigned the commodity codes on the lines of Central Excise Tariff of India where classification disputes are almost nil.
CM announced to reduce VAT on aviation turbine fuel from 5% to 1%. With it he is hoping to encourage aircrafts to fly to Shimla, Bhuntar and Kangra.
Tourism
To tap state’s potential of water sports and recreational activities in the reservoirs created by hydel projects, Govt in this budget proposed to introduce House Boats on the lines of Kashmir and Kerala. An Adventure Marathon shall be introduced in the state which would include car rally, cycling, river rafting and cross country with families participating as teams.
To involve local youth in tourism activities and generate employment, department will provide training to 1000 youth as tourist guides and 3900 youth in driving skills, while owners of Home stays shall be given training on hospitality.
Government also mulling to encourage the opening of new hotels and tourist facilities in the backward Panchayats of the state and to promote it, Govt in this budget announce to exempt from luxury tax under the HP Tax on Luxuries (in hotels and lodging houses) Act, 1979 for a period of 10 years.
Elementary Education
CM said that the education has always remained one of our top priorities. Consequently, our state has achieved remarkable progress in literacy and literacy percentage has reached 83.78% as per 2011 census. CM announced free travel facility to government school students in HRTC buses w.e.f. 1st April, 2013. Govt also ordered opening/up gradation of 149 schools which were de-notified or closed by the previous Government. CM said that Govt will lay emphasis on improving the quality of education by having the right curriculum, trained teachers and provision of their regular in service training and making them accountable for learning levels of students. The School Management Committees will be empowered to check the attendance of the teachers. To evaluate the learning levels of the students, I announce that a State Amendment in the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Elementary Education Act, will be introduced in this august House to request Government of India to allow conduct of exams for 5th and 8th class.
CM also offered goodies on PTA appointed teachers and increased their grant. PTA Lecturer School Cadre to be increased from `7250 to `10875, for the TGT from `6950 to `10425, and for C&V teachers from `6750 to `10125. `7250 to `10875, for the TGT from `6950 to `10425, and for the PET and C&V teachers from `6750 to `10125.
CM also announced to improve the infrastructure of schools and proposed a budget provision of `63 crore for capital works for secondary and higher education during 2013-14. To bring the standard of education in colleges and Himachal Pradesh University at par with National standards, the curriculum and syllabus will be extensively revised and upgraded. The course content will be prepared keeping in view the requirement of the job market and the employability of the students. The total number of teaching days will be increased to 180.
To impart education using modern ICT tools, CM propose to start smart classrooms in 618 Government Senior Secondary Schools and 837 Government High Schools during 2013-14. The contents of curriculum will be made available on computers and will be displayed on screen through projector in the class rooms. CM also proposes to start vocational education in 100 new senior secondary schools with four courses i.e. Automobile, Secondary and Higher Education. Retail, Security & I.T. with the aim to improve the employability of students from 9th to 12th class under National Vocational Education Qualification Framework scheme during 2013-14. Cm also announced to give Net books/tablets under Rajiv Gandhi Digital Student Yojna to 5 thousand meritorious students of 10th and 12th class of Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education. CM also announced to give a cash incentive of `75 thousand for those meritorious students of Himachal Pradesh, who gets admission in IITs, IIMs or AIIMS. CM proposed a budget provision of `3836 crore for education department which is 17.6 % of the total budget.
Technical Education
To upgrade the skills of the youth for enhancing their employability in the industry and for self employment, CM proposed to start 5 new Polytechnics. At present polytechnics are running in 7 districts in government sector. Cm also announced to open new ITIs in all the Vidhan Sabha constituencies.
In order to encourage more technical institutions to come up in the private sector, the State Government will give Government land on lease at concessional rates to the entrepreneurs. CM proposed an outlay of `110 crore for the year 2013-14 for technical education.
Language, Art and Culture
CM informed speaker that the State Government is committed to preserve and promote Art and Culture of the State. CM said that Govt will start a special programme to train the youth in the folk, arts, craft and traditions. In the first phase, Schools of Pahari Miniature Painting, Chamba Rumal, Metal Craft and Wood Craft will be started under Guru Shishya Parmpra. This will go a long way in generating self employment to youth besides preserving and propagating our art and culture.
CM said that various temples of the state were included in Schedule-1 of HP Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984 for the better preservation and upkeep of our cultural heritage but the previous Government vide its notification dated 11-04-2012 indiscriminately de-notified 13 temples from schedule-1. Our Government has decided to re-include these temples in schedule-1 of the said Act. CM also announced to double the grant-in-aid of the temples. He also announced to provide adequate funds for renovation of old temples of hill crafts.
Virbhadra Singh said that the Government will continue to lay emphasis on development of sports infrastructure to promote sports talent of the youth in the state. Besides construction of new stadiums, the State Government will lay emphasis on the upgradation of existing stadiums. To motivate the sportspersons of the state, CM announced to double the cash prize for the outstanding players of the state. The award money of Parshuram awardees enhanced from existing `50 thousand to `1 lakh. For the development of youth services and sports CM proposed a budget of `24 crore for 2013-14.
Health
CM apprised Speaker that the State Government is committed to provide the best of Health care facilities to the people of the State. CM said that Himachal is emerging as a hub for the manufacture of many essential drugs. In order to make issue of all statutory licenses and certificates transparent, we will start the system of web based licensing for drug manufacturers as well as retailers so that they can get the licenses at their own premises.
CM announced that the National Ambulance Services will be expanded by adding 59 additional Ambulances to the existing fleet. CM also announced to provide a dedicated fleet of ambulances for free drop back of women who deliver in Government institutions. To facilitate the patients suffering from cancer and spinal injuries and those on dialysis, Singh announced that they would be provided free travel facility in HRTC buses along with one attendant. Further, a new multi-storey building complex having parking, diagnostic facilities, OPDs, doctors’ rooms, etc. will be constructed in IGMC.
To encourage the Post Graduate Contractual Medical Officers to opt for hospitals located in the interior areas, CM proposed to raise the monthly incentive, in addition to their contractual emoluments, from `15000 to `25000 and from `25000 to `40000 to encourage the PG doctors to opt for such interior locations.
Addressing the health needs of the large young population of the state will go a long way in promoting better health for all in the State. We will provide free treatment to all school going children diagnosed with critical or congenital illness under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram. To improve the health of the adolescent population in the reproductive age group, we have recently launched a new scheme under the name of Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) Programme. The Menstrual Hygiene Programme would be expanded across the State.
To curb the drug addiction problem in youth, CM announced to set up drug de-addiction centres in every district. Govt will also launch mass awareness campaign in the educational institutions to make the youth aware of the ill effects of drugs. Further, to discourage the people from smoking, I propose to increase the VAT on cigarette, cigar etc. from 18% to 36% and on bidis from 11% to 22%.
To ensure availability of health care to all, the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana will be expanded to cover additional beneficiaries. It is proposed to spend `10 crore on this scheme from the state budget.
Urban Development
To improve urban governance and infrastructure, service delivery mechanism, basic services to the urban poor, an ambitious mission known as JNNURM has been launched by Government of India. An outlay of `70 crore has been proposed under JNNURM for 2013-14.
Women and Child Development
The Government has recently set up a State Level Committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary and District level committees under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners to regularly review all cases of atrocities against women and ensure expeditious action taken by the police and other authorities. To make police more women friendly it is important that we have sufficient women in police force. At present women constitute nearly 10% of police force. I therefore, announce that now onwards at least 20% women will be recruited at constable and Sub Inspector level.
The protection and care services being provided to the orphans/destitute children will be further strengthened by setting up District Child Protection Units in district Mandi, Kangra, Shimla and Chamba. CM also proposed to start two open shelters in District Shimla and Kangra to provide shelter to those children who need care and protection till they are properly rehabilitated.
CM also enhanced the grant from `25000 to `50000 for remarriage of widows. CM also announced to set up a High Powered ‘Mahila Kalyan Board’ in the state for reviewing policies and issues related to socioeconomic development, health, employment, security and empowerment of women.
SC/OBC and Minority Affairs
CM said that Himachal Government is committed towards the welfare of underprivileged and weaker sections of the society. Under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan, CM proposed an allocation of `1014 crore for 2013-14.
CM proposed to enhance the grant for inter caste marriages from the existing `25000 to `50000. CM also increased financial assistance under ‘Mukhya Mantri Kanya Daan Yojna’, to `25000 w.e.f. 1st April, 2013.
CM announced to increase the housing subsidy for the construction of new houses for SCs, STs, and OBCs to `75000 from next year.
Tribal Development
CM said that equitable and balanced development of tribal area and welfare of tribal people continues to be our top priority. With a view to achieving this objective an outlay of `369 crore is being allocated under Tribal Sub-Plan during the financial year 2013-14 which is nearly 11% higher than the outlay of the previous year. I propose a total budget allocation of `764 crore for tribal areas in 2013-14 including the non plan allocations.
Home/ Law and Order
CM said that Police plays a very important role in the maintenance of law & order. The Police Department has also started a free SMS Number 9459100100 for making any complaint. This service has been widely appreciated by the people especially the women. Till date 5273 complaints have been received through SMS. In addition to above, online complaints on the Police Website are also being made by the women and action is being initiated within 48 hours. CM proposed to a budget outlay of ` 723 crore for police and allied organizations in 2013-14.
Judicial Administration Employment Generation
To strengthen judicial administration for providing speedy justice to the people of the state, CM announced to set up 10 courts of Additional District and Session Judge and 2 courts of Civil Judge (Junior Division) will be set up in the State.
To tap the unemployment in state, Govt has proposed skill development programme. In this, State Government intends to provide allowance to educated unemployed persons for their skill upgradation and CM announced that 10+2 and above educated unemployed youth between the age of 25 to 35 years who are registered in employment exchange for at least two years and not working any where will be given a “Skill Development Allowance” of `1000 per month for a period of two years. This rate will be `1500 per month for persons with disabilities. Most of the skill development can be completed in three months to two years. This allowance will be given to unemployed youth whose family income is less than `2 lakh per annum. The unemployed youth would be permitted to utilize this allowance for upgrading his skill in any sector where ever he proposes to get employment. Unemployed youth can get skill training from any institution or place of his choice. After completion of skill training, if an unemployed youth intends to take up self employment then he could apply for loan to a bank or to the SC, ST, OBC corporations. The state government will provide an interest subvention of 4% up to project cost of `1.50 lakh for next five years. However, if somebody completes skill training before two years, he will be eligible for 4% interest subvention at that stage itself. CM proposed a budget provision of `100 crore for the ‘Skill Development Allowance’.
CM also proposed to establish a ‘State Skill Development Council’ in the state. The Council will seek to achieve convergence of different training programmes being run by various departments with the aim of providing best available placement opportunities to the upcoming labour force and also collaborate with the private skill development agencies which can assure placement after completion of the training. I announce that skill upgradation would be provided to 5000 building and construction workers and their dependents. Further, people living in the tribal areas would be given required skill training from the funds available under BADP. The State Government in association with Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, would be setting up 12 Apparel and Textile Design Training Centres for skill development and employment creation in this sector. Further, for providing skill development in specialised plastic technologies, a unit of Central Institute of Plastic Technology will be opened soon in our state.
In his budget speech CM also announced to fill up of 2000 posts of teachers of different categories, 500 posts of data entry operators/computer operators, 500 posts of water guards, 500 posts of patwaris, 250 JEs/ surveyors, 200 forest guards and 100 posts of nurses.
CM announced that all contractual employees who complete 6 years of service and the daily wage employees who complete 7 years of service as on as on 31st March 2013 will also be regularized as per norms. Further, the part timers including part time water carrier in the education department who complete 9 years of continuous service as on 31st March 2013 will be made daily wagers as per norms.
Chief Minister said that 2013-14 budget must be seen as a step towards fulfilling Congress party’s pledge to serve the people of the state. He dedicated this budget to the people of our State and seeks their cooperation to make Himachal Pradesh a model state.
