Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Government on Monday presented the annual budget labeled “Bharose Ka Budget” of Rs 1,21,500 crore for the financial year 2023-24, with a motto of “Gadhbo Nava Chhattisgarh” promoting the prosperity and development of the state, particularly its agricultural and rural sectors. The budget is designed to reinforce and support the goals of the “Chhattisgarh Model”.
Over the past four years, the Chhattisgarh Government has made the welfare and employment-oriented development of all sections of the state a top priority, in a bid to improve the economic situation for the general population. The latest budget presented by the government is a sincere and determined effort to fulfill the promises made to the people of Chhattisgarh in 2018, said a government release.
Among the major announcements made by chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, who also holds the finance portfolio, was to provide an Unemployment Allowance of Rs 2500 per month to the educated unemployed with a provision of Rs 250 crore. Chief minister announced that unemployed youth between the ages of 18 and 35 who have passed Class 12 and are registered with employment centers, and whose family’s annual income is less than Rs. 2.5 lakhs, will be provided an unemployment allowance of Rs. 2500 per month for a maximum of 2 years.
The Chhattisgarh Government has allocated Rs. 6,800 crores towards the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana’, with the goal of transforming the state, which is known as “Dhaan Ka Katora” or the bowl of rice, into the “Dhan Ka Katora” or the bowl of wealth. Additionally, the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Bhoomiheen Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana’ will be extended to include not just rural areas, but also Nagar Panchayat areas.
Chief minister also announced to increase in the pension given to destitute, elderly, disabled, widows and abandoned women under Social Security Pension Scheme from Rs 350 per month to Rs 500 per month. Taking a concrete step in the interest of Anganwadi workers, Baghel announced to increase in the monthly honorarium of Anganwadi workers from Rs 6,500 per month to Rs 10,000 per month. Besides, the honorarium of Anganwadi helpers increased from Rs 3,250 to Rs 5,000 per month and that of mini Anganwadi workers increased from Rs 4,500 to Rs 7,500 per month.
In addition to the incentive amount already given to the Mitanin sisters who provide support for institutional childbirth and implement various schemes of the Health Department, the state government will provide an honorarium of Rs. 2200 to them from state funds.
In a bid to assist journalists in the construction of their own houses, a provision of Rs 50 lakh for interest subvention on housing loans up to Rs 25 lakh under the ‘Journalist Housing Loan Grant Scheme’ has been made in the budget.
Chief minister announced an increase in the honorarium of Home Guards personnel, who assist in maintaining law and order during state festivals, emergencies, and various administrative functions, with a minimum increment of Rs 6,300 to a maximum increment of Rs 6,420 per month.
With an aim to provide easy, affordable, and modern means of transportation to the people of the state, a provision has been made for the introduction of a Light Metro service from Nava Raipur Atal Nagar to Durg.
While giving a push to the school education, a provision of Rs 870 crores has been made in the budget for the opening of New 101 Swami Atmanand English Medium School. The Swami Atmanand English Medium School Scheme was launched in the year 2020-21 with the aim of providing excellent education in English medium to underprivileged students. Currently, 247 English medium and 32 Hindi medium Swami Atmanand schools are operational in the state benefitted 2,38,961 students.
Other major announcements include an increment in the amount of honorarium being given to cooks preparing lunch under the mid-day meal program in schools, to be increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,800 per month. The honorarium of sanitation workers working in schools has also been increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 2,800 per month. The increment in the amount of pre-existing honorarium to village Kotwaras on the basis of service land from Rs 2,250 to Rs 3,000; Rs 3,375 to Rs 4,500; Rs 4,050 to Rs 5,500 and Rs 4,500 to Rs 6,000 per month. The monthly honorarium of Gram Patel is to be increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000
