Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal discloses Punjab Budget 2021-22

The current politics Punjabi news is all about the most anticipated Punjab Budget for the financial year 2021-22. Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal presented the state budget in the state assembly on Monday, March 8. The budget was with an outlay of Rs. 1,68,015 crore. In his budgetary document, the finance minister proposed spending on many key sectors.

1. State’s infrastructure improvement

There was a 68% increase in the money allotment for Urban infrastructure development under the local bodies department. The monetary allotment is about Rs 7,192 crore for 2021-22, which exceeds over the last year’s Rs. 4,270 crore. Likewise, he allotted Rs. 1600 crore for smart cities mission, Rs 2,449 is assigned for roads and bridges. The latest Punjab Vidhan Sabha news gives information about Rs160 crore is administrated for 124 rural roads.

2. Electricity

For the budget information, the latest Punjab politics news briefs on plans for electricity. The government suggests the continuation of providing free electricity by earmarking Rs.1,513 crore. From which up to 1 Kilowatt is for freedom fighters and 1 Kill Watt is for SC, BC, and non-SC BPL consumers per month, consequently.

3. Water resources

The finance minister allotted Rs. 3,214 crore for development in water resources. This year the monetary allocation increased about 40% over 2020-21 for water resource infrastructure, as well. Punjab Vidhan Sabha news informs that it is proposed for concrete lining rehabilitation, renovation, and modernization of the water systems. About 150 villages would benefit from this plan that includes Lahore, Gurdaspur, and Amritsar. To resolve the waterlogging issues in South-western districts, Rs. 50 crore is allocated for the integrated project.

4. Education

The latest budget also has plans for allotting Rs.11,861 crore for school education. From that, Rs. 350 crores are meant for the mid-day meal, Rs. 50 crore is for facilitating computers in primary schools, accordingly. Moreover, the current politics Punjabi news says other Rs. 140 crore is for digital education, while Rs. 100 crore for providing smartphones.

The Finance Minister also allotted Rs.100 crore for finishing the ongoing constructions or renovation projects in government colleges. Besides the current politics, Punjabi news gives information about the opening of an education college and a girls’ college at Malerkotla. Badal also assigns Rs. 5 crores to open a centre on Guru Granth Sahib at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

5. Social justice and empowerment

The Finance Minister also made an allocation for Rs. 1,372 crores for 2021-22 budget. It is an increase of 52% over last year’s Rs. 901 crore. The monetary allotment is for several welfare schemes such as educational, socio-economic, and empowerment of minorities. The government allocated Rs. 60 crore for pre-matric and Rs. 750 crore for the post-matric scholarship for SC children.

6. Agriculture

The latest Punjab politics news gives information about the opening of a new umbrella program, Kamyab Kisan Khushaal Punjab. Moreover, the government issued an outlay of Rs. 3,780 crore for such programs that would implement within the next three years.

7. Synergy

Badal additionally made an allocation of Rs. 300 crore for sugarcane farmers and Rs. 60 crore for the development of sugar mills. The current politics Punjabi news also informs about the allocation of Rs. 3,822 crore for health and family welfare. Every eligible beneficiary can access free Covid-19 vaccination. With an 85% increment from last year’s allocation, Rs.1,008 crore is assigned for medical education.

8. Enhancing Punjabi Language and Culture

The monetary amount for Punjabi Sahit Ratan Award and Shiromani Award has also doubled. It increased 10 lakhs to 20 lakhs for Punjabi Sahit Ratan Award. Again for Shiromani Award, the award amount increased from 5 lakhs to 10 lakhs. The prize money increased for Best Literary Book Award and Best Printing Book Awards of Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu. Punjab Vidhan sabha news also briefs on their respective prize amount as well as other promotional steps for the language.

9. Sports and youth services

The government also allocated about Rs. 147 crore for sports and youth services with a 20% increase over last year. The Finance Minister allotted Rs. 15 crores to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, Patiala.

10. Defence and Labour welfare

Mr Badal furthermore budgeted Rs. 135 crore for defence welfare along with Rs. 64 crore for guardians of governance scheme. For labour welfare, the government allowed every commercial establishment to stay open 24*7 all throughout the year. The latest Punjab politics news also notifies regarding many other sectors for budget 2021-22.

The budget presents many welfare programs for maternal and child wings, medical colleges and hospitals, etc. the government makes provisions for farm loans, power subsidy, and innovation fund.