Badal lauds Punjab FM, terms Budget 'futuristic and balanced'

Describing the Punjab budget as "balanced, growth-oriented, and futuristic", Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said this will ensure development of all sections of society and propel agricultural growth.
The Chief Minister said Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa has done a "commendable job" by designing slew of "bold" initiatives in consonance with the guiding philosophy of Sikhism 'well-being of the entire humanity' (Sarbat Da Bhala).
These initiative include setting up SC scholarship fund with a corpus of Rs 100 crore, which would be given to universities, colleges and institutes on behalf of all SC students who intend to pursue higher studies at time of admission.

Initiatives like starting 'Swasth Kanya Yojna', establishing 638 new Anganwari centres and 20 mini Anganwari centres, constituting special women patrolling teams and setting up of 'Nanhi Chaan Skill Centers' in rural areas to train women, are steps taken to ensure women empowerment, he said.
The Chief Minister also patted Dhindsa for introducing interest free crop loan scheme for the small and marginal farmers aimed at benefitting over 10 lakh farmers.
"An allocation of Rs 7,490 crore for agriculture and allied activities in the current budget would certainly give impetus to agriculture research besides promoting allied farming activities," Badal said.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal termed the budget as a "realistic and visionary" document which would give a fillip to the state's economy.

The Chief minster said that the decision to introduce a
new Farmers Provident Fund cum Pension Scheme was "historic" and aimed at safeguarding the interests of the farming community.
He also lauded budgetary provision of Rs 20 crore for setting up Kisan Vikas Chamber in Mohali to give absolute say to farmers related with agriculture and allied farming activities.
With a view to promoting agricultural and allied activities in the state, the Deputy Chief minister appreciated the move to lower the VAT on cotton and yarn from 6.05 to 3.63 per cent apart from exempting raw honey, bee-keeping equipment and pig feed from VAT.

The Deputy CM also commended the giving of 1.65 lakh tubewell connections besides priority connections for marginal farmers having land holdings below 2.5 acres.
BJP, an ally of SAD in Punjab, termed the state budget as "visionary" and "development oriented".
"One of the significant highlight of the budget is that no new tax has been imposed", said Punjab BJP Chief Kamal Sharma.
He said announcement of interest-free crop loans of Rs 50,000 per crop to small and marginal farmers and introduction of the 'New Farmer Provident' fund and pension scheme are welcome decisions.
He lauded initiatives like 'Swasth Kanya Yojna' scheme, free uniforms and stationery for SC students, upgradation of 400 middle schools to high schools at a cost of Rs 445 crore and an education channel--Vidya TV.

The announcement of construction of modern gymnasiums in towns and villages of Punjab at a cost of Rs 200 crore would help channelise the energy of the youth in a positive direction and would also keep younger generation away from drugs, Sharma said.