Assam CM terms Union Budget 2017-18 as pro-poor, pro-farmer, welfare and growth oriented

In an official statement, the Assam praised the budget provision of Rs. 10 lakh crore as credit to farmers with 60 days interest waiver and stated that the increase of fund in the tune of Rs. 40,000 crore to NABARD and dedicated micro irrigation fund with Rs 5,000 crore initial corpus for NABARD will greatly help the farm sector.

Sonowal also lauded the move to create Dairy processing infrastructure fund initially with a corpus of Rs. 2000 crore and stated that the mini lab in Krishi Vigyan Kendras for soiling will further give a momentum to issuance of soil cards.

Besides, the Government target to bring 1 crore households out of poverty by 2019, 5 lakh farm ponds to be taken up under MGNREGA during 2017-18, over Rs 3 lakh crore for rural India and using of space tech in a big way to plan MGNREGA works would help double farmers income, the Assam CM stated.

Referring to the allocating Rs. 19,000 crore for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in 2017-18 to complete 1 crore houses for those without homes, the Assam CM stated the same will immensely boost government’s aim of “Housing for all”.

Further appreciating, the Government flagship programmes, the Assam CM lauded the union Finance Minister’s statements in the budget session that Swachh Bharat mission has made tremendous progress and sanitation coverage has gone up from 42% in October, 2014 to 60% now.

Sonowal also appreciated the fact that the government is well on its way of achieving 100% rural electrification by March 2018.

Stating that the introduction of a system of measuring annual learning outcomes, innovation fund for secondary education will unleash a new academic environment in the country, the Assam CM also appreciated the budget proposal to focus on 3,479 educationally-backward blocks, setting up of 100 India International Skill centres across the country to maximise the Skill India Mission, introduction of courses on foreign languages and steps to create 5000 PG seats per annum.

Appreciating an allocation investment of Rs. 1,84,632  crore for women and Kids, nationwide scheme for pregnant women under which Rs. 6000 each will be transferred, structural transformation of regulator framework for medical education in India and transforming 1.5 lakh health sub centres into health wellness centre, the Assam CM said that the proposals would leave effective impact on health sector and reducing MMR and IMR in the country.

Sonowal also lauded the allocation of Rs. 500 crore for Mahila Shakti Kendra, surplus liquidity to reduce lending rates for housing, allocation for Scheduled Caste  in the tune of Rs. 52,393 crore and stated that the moves would boost the welfare schemes of the government.

The Assam CM also stated that the allocation of Rs. 39,61,354 crore for infrastructure development and allocation for Railways — Rs. 1,31,000 crore, proposal to obliterate Service charge while booked tickets with IRCTC, Raksha coach with a corpus of Rs. 1 lakh cr for five years (for passenger safety), elimination of unmanned level crossings by 2020, commissioning of 3,500 km of railway lines this year up from 2,800 km last year, SMS based clean my coach service, Coach mitra facility - to register all coach related complaints, 2019 - bio toilets for all trains, differently-abled friendly facility at 500 stations, competitive ticket booking facility, 2,000 km for coastal connectivity of roads, Rs. 64,000 crore allocation for highways, allocation of high speed Internet to 1,50,000 gram panchayats etc. will not only improve connectivity but also ensure safe and secured travel for passengers.

The Assam CM also praised the energy sector proposals of the budget including setting up of strategic policy for crude reserves and launching of Trade infra export scheme in the country.

Sonowal also appreciated the Finance Minister’s view that Demonetisation was a bold and decisive measure and the same would lead to higher GDP growth in the country.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath, Image: Sarbananda Sonowal/Facebook)