Punjab FM presents ₹1.96-lakh-crore Budget for 2023-24; Agri, Education, and Health key focus areas
The Hindu
Speaking in the Assembly, Harpal Cheema said education, health, and agriculture are among the priority sectors for the government
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented a ₹1.96-lakh-crore State Budget for 2023-24 in the Assembly here on March 10 with a focus on agriculture, education, and health segments.
Speaking in the Assembly, Harpal Cheema said education, health, and agriculture are among the priority sectors for the government.
“Total Budget size has been increased by 26% to ₹1,96,462 crore for 2023-24 over the previous year, the State Finance Minister said.
It is the first full Budget of the AAP Government. After coming to power in March 2022, the AAP Government first passed a vote-on account on March 22 and then it presented its Budget in June for the remaining part of the year.
The Finance Minister proposed ₹13,888 crore for agriculture and allied sector, up by 20%. The government will soon come out with a new agriculture policy for which a committee of experts have been formed for the purpose, he said.
“A sum of ₹1,000 crore has been allocated for crop diversification. A revolving fund for Basmati crop purchase has also been set up”, he said.
The government has decided to launch a risk mitigation crop insurance scheme — Bhaav Antar Bhugtan Yojana.