Budgetary Aspirations Of Himachal

Sunil Sharma

Himachalis are eagerly looking forward to the state budget that will be presented by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on March 9 during the Budget session of Himachal Assembly. Though Chief Minister has shown his intentions for reducing state’s debt liability, yet he faces the challenge of satisfying different sections of the society. Mobilising additional resources is another key area that is important for implementing developmental schemes in this hilly state. The BJP’s vision document released before the recent assembly elections will also be reflected in the upcoming budget as the government has been announcing schemes on the same lines. It will have to focus on specific areas to enhance the pace of development besides strengthening state’s economy, knowledgeable persons feel.

Loss Incurring PSU’s

Eleven public sector undertakings out of 24 are in deficit. Main reasons are attributed to wasteful expenditure and frequent transfers of officers in PSU’s. These bodies also lack in work culture due to shortage of staff. The loss incurring PSU’s include HIMUDA. HPMC, Handloom & Handicraft Corporation, Khadi and Village Industries Board, Power Board, Financial Corporation, Electronics Corporation, HPTDC, Milkfed

* Seven PSU’s earned profit of Rs. 13.97 crore

* Eleven PSU’s suffered losses of Rs. 469.97 crore

Different departments have submitted their priorities for inclusion the first budget of the Jai Ram government. Sources said preparations are underway to include schemes related to people’s welfare in the budget. A Public Service Guarantee Commission is likely to be constituted under the ambit of Public Service Guarantee Act, 2011. The state government is likely to review old laws, ordinances and norms.

Focus On Health Services

The budget is likely to include announcements regarding extending cheap but quality health services, recruitment of doctors and para medical staff in addition to disposal of biomedical waste at hospital level. A new health insurance scheme can be launched for APL, BPL, general masses, government employees and pensioners. There can be an increase in charges if medical tests facility is extended for twenty four hours a day.  Mobile health vehicle can be provided for far flung areas where appointment of doctors and para medical staff is not practical. The government intends to prevent water borne diseases by providing clean drinking water. It will not be a surprise if there is an announcement regrading installation of water ATMs at, tourist destinations, temples and bus stands at district headquarters.

The government is also planning to review about thirty percent hand pumps sanctioned on political considerations by clubbing about five units on cooperative basis. There is a proposal to initiate a pilot project in 10 more blocks and far flung areas to promote use of solar pumps to strengthen irrigation facilities for farmers. After reviewing MNREGA, transportation rates for sand, bajri and stones can be fixed for supplying to panchayats within 15 kilometres distance.

Van Lagao Rozi Kamao Scheme

Sources said the government can restart Van Lagao Rozi Kamao scheme. In order to restrict wild animals to their natural habitat in forests, the government can also announce plantation scheme of fruit trees and herbs besides promoting mixed forests.

BJP’s Vision Document

The 2018-19 budget will also reflect BJP’s vision document. The budget is likely to include the promises that BJP had made in its vision document released before recently assembly elections. The state government has also adopted it as government document.  The announcements are being made on the same lines though there is no binding on adopting it. A party is responsible to fulfill its election manifesto whereas it is not the case with the vision document.

* The budget will take care of the welfare of all sections. Stress will be on reducing the wasteful expenditure besides generating resources for Himachal’s development

-Jai Ram Thakur, Chief Minister

 

Challenges…

Pre- Budgetary Announcements

There will be a burden of Rs, 700 crore on the state exchequer after the government announced interim relief for the employees. Earlier it had also granted dearness allowance, attracting additional burden of Rs. 700 crore. This will add to budgetary deficit as the RBI has fixed Rs. 3400 crore limit for Himachal to raise loans.

Reducing Debt Liability

Jai Ram government is seeking help from experts in its bid to reduce Rs. 46,000 crore debt liability on Himachal. Initiatives are in the pipeline to reduce wasteful expenditure besides increasing state’s resources. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur says Centre’s help would also be sought on this aspect. However, no decision has been taken on this issue until now.

Quality of Roads

The state government has announced to provide quality health and road facilities. On the pattern of PMGSY, responsibility for maintaining the quality of roads can be handed over to contractors. In order to check corruption, steps are likely to be taken with regard to cement, steel and other material.

Specific Areas

Agriculture Needs Attention

As 90% of the population lives in villages in Himachal, agriculture agriculture and horticulture are main occupations. It provides direct employment to 62% of total work force of the state. It’s essential that this work force be targeted to provide them skill development at least in two avocations each of six month training followed by loan to enable them to become entrepreneurs, says Prof. Ashok Sarial, HPAU Vice Chancellor says.State total agricultural land is 5.54 lakh ha. Merely 19% has assured irrigation. “We need to prioritise to create assured irrigation from the perennial source of water available from five rivers originating in the state besides storing surplus water during rainy season,” he adds.

Funds for research and education from the state as per local  geographical and agroclimatic challenges should be provided to the universities to   develop state of the art technology

-Prof Ashok Kumar Sarial, VC, HPAU, Palampur

Employment Generation

Himachal’s Unemployed youths have urged the government to take steps for ensuring ensure 80% employment in the private sector. They have also sought steps for exploring vast employment opportunities available in tourism, horticulture and agriculture sectors besides improvement in eco tourism and home stay schemes. The government had sought suggestions from masses for budget. People have pointed out that they face delays in implementing small projects due to slow clearance of files.

Infrastructural facilities should be strengthened besides improving connectivity to boost high end tourism in Himachal

-Ashok Kumar Andi, A Hotelier, Naddi, Dharamshala

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