The annual budget for the year 2022-23 outlines need-based modifications in the ongoing schemes and also proposes increase in the outlays of many schemes, besides having its orientation towards all round and inclusive development of the State. This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while addressing the virtual conference, Jan Samvad programme on Budget 2022-23 from Peterhof here today. Jai Ram Thakur said that it was for the first time that a Chief Minister was interacting directly with the masses after presenting the annual budget of the State. He said that the main aim of the State Government during the last four years was to ensure the socio-economic upliftment of the poor and the downtrodden. He said that all the schemes, policies and programmes of the State Government aimed at upliftment of the person living at the lowest ebb. He said that very first decision of the present State Government was aimed at welfare of the old people and another at ensuring proper shelter to the abandoned cattle.
He said that Rs. 500 were being provided per month per cattle in Cow Sanctuaries and Gau Sadans, which now has been increased to Rs. 700 per month per cow in the budget 2022-23. Chief Minister said that over two years tenure of the present State Government adversely affected due to the corona pandemic. He said that despite all odds the State succeeded in tackling this crisis with the active co-operation and support form Centre and the people of the State. He said that a budget of Rs. 51,365 crore was presented by him on 4th of this month, which aims at welfare of every section of society and development of every area of the State. He said that the previous State Government during its last five years tenure raised loan of over Rs. 28,000 crore. He said that despite the pandemic the loans raised by the State Government were much less. Jai Ram Thakur said that he had announced in the budget to reduce age limit for old age pension, irrespective of income to 60 years for all. He said that all such pensioners who were currently getting a pension of Rs. 850 per month, will now get Rs.1,000 per month, whereas such pensioners who are currently getting a pension of Rs.1,000 per month, would now get Rs.1,500 per month and all such pensioners who were currently getting a pension of Rs.1,500 per month, will now get Rs.1,700 per month.
He said that women in the age group 60 to 65 years would also be entitled to old age pension without any income limit. He said that 7.50 lakh beneficiaries would now benefit from Old Age Pension Schemes and an amount of Rs. 1,300 crore would be spent. He said that Gender Budget Statement have been presented for the 1st time along with other budget documents. Chief Minister said that monthly honorarium of Anganwadi workers, Anganwadi Assistant and Asha worker have been increased considerably. He said that honorarium of sewing teachers, mid-day meal workers, Water Carrier (Education Department), Jal Rakshak, Multi Purpose Workers, Para fitters and Pump Operators have also been increased considerably. He said that now the Anganwari Workers would get Rs. 9,000, Mini Anganwari Workers Rs. 6,000, Anganwari Sahayikas Rs. 4,600, Asha Workers Rs. 4,700, Silai Teachers Rs.7,850, Mid Day Meal Workers Rs. 3,400, Water Carriers (Education Department) Rs. 3,800, Water Guards Rs. 4,400, Multi Purpose Workers of Jal Shakti Vibhag Rs. 3,800, Para Fitters and Pump Operators Rs. 5,400 per month honorarium.
He said that daily wages of daily wagers have been increased by Rs. 50 per day and now they would get Rs. 350 per day. He said that every outsourced worker would now also get minimum of Rs. 10,500 per month. In addition to this, the honorarium of representatives of Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions has also been increased considerably, he added. Jai Ram Thakur said that one additional free LPG cylinder would be given under Grihini Suvidha Yojana and Ujjwala by spending an additional amount of Rs. 50 crore on it. He said that registration for HIMCARE would now be done throughout the year and it would be now renewable after three years. He said that there were only two oxygen plants in the State, but today there were 48 PSA oxygen plants in the State. Chief Minister said that the State Government has decided that “Zero Billing” would be done for consumption of electricity up to 60 units benefitting about 4.50 lakh consumers. He said that cheaper electricity would also be provided at the subsidized rate of Rs.1 per unit which would benefit over 7 lakh consumers consuming between 61 to 125 units. The electricity rate would be 30 paise per unit for farmers, he added.
Additional Chief Secretary Finance Prabodh Saxena while welcoming the Chief Minister detailed various salient features of the Annual Budget for the year 2022-23 presented by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on 4th of March this year. He said that 97 new schemes have been launched during the last four years by the present State Government in its last five budgets. MP and State BJP President Suresh Kashyap, Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Organization Secretary State BJP Pawan Rana, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Trilok Jamwal, General Secretary Child Welfare Council Payal Vaidya, Mayor Shimla Municipal Corporation Satya Kondal, Chairman HIMFED Ganesh Dutt, Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subhasish Panda, Principal Secretary GAD Bharat Khera, Secretary Finance Akshay Sood, Director Information and Public Relations Harbans Singh Brascon were present on the occasion at Shimla whereas all the Ministers, MLAs, BJP leaders and general public joined the event virtually from their respective places.
