Social sector top concern in Punjab budget

"Since I am not a professional economist, I will incorporate the approach of the layman in my budget," Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal today said, adding there would be provision for supplying foodgrains (flour and pulses) at lower rates to poorer sections of society.

And the scheme will be launched on Baisakhi (April 13) in the state, as promised by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Manpreet's uncle.

Badal today said that in the budget, education, health and infrastructure would be given priority.

"Since I am yet to join office, I will first enquire about the position of the state exchequer and in a day or two will visit Delhi to meet the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, to keep myself posted of schemes of the union government and state's share in such schemes," said Manpreet Badal, who is also holding the portfolio of planning and programmes.

Badal said he would request Montek Singh Ahluwalia to let the deputy chairman of the Punjab state planning board, Isher Judge Ahluwalia, to continue in her job. Isher Judge Ahluwalia is married to Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

To a question as to whether there would be provision for rural indebtedness relief in the budget, as promised by his party during the election campaign, Badal said funds must be cleared first.

It had been worked out how many families came under the purview of such schemes and accordingly the civil supplies ministry would join hands with the finance ministry to implement the scheme, he added.

Efforts would be made for major cuts in non-plan expenditure, and concessions to distillery units given by the previous government would be reviewed because such concessions could be transferred to sick units, which really needed them.

Badal said he would soon meet the union finance minister to raise the issue of tax concessions given to the neighbouring states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, because they had ruined industry in Punjab.

"We do not oppose concessions to neighbouring states, but we want the same benefits for Punjab also because the state had seen terrorism for over 10 years, which ruined the economy of the state," he said.

About the mega projects sanctioned by the previous government, Badal said the state government would tailor legislation to suit the needs of projects.

Concessions given by the previous government to such mega projects would be reviewed, he added.