The Uttarakhand Government has unveiled a robust annual budget of over Rs 89,230 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25, emphasizing key areas such as state infrastructure, women’s welfare, health, and education.
In a significant move during the budget session of the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha, Finance Minister Dr. Prem Chand Agarwal presented the comprehensive budget, highlighting the government’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and development.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state government has earmarked Rs 574 crore exclusively for women’s welfare, demonstrating a strong dedication to empowering women and promoting gender equality.
The budget, framed under the ethos of ‘Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas,’ channels substantial resources towards the top ten priority sectors. Notably, allocations include Rs 15,376 crore for health and education, underlining the government’s resolve to enhance public healthcare and educational infrastructure.
Additionally, the state government has allocated Rs 13,780 crore for infrastructure development, Rs 5,658 crore for poverty alleviation measures, Rs 2,910 crore for rural development, and Rs 2,565 crore for urban development. A focus on agriculture is evident with Rs 2,415 crore allocated for farmers’ welfare initiatives.
Recognizing the pivotal role of education and skill development, Rs 1,145 crore has been allotted for technical and higher education, alongside an equal sum for youth welfare programs.
In a significant gesture towards environmental conservation and sustainable growth, the budget includes provisions of Rs 574 crore for women’s welfare and Rs 487 crore for ecology-economy initiatives.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami underscored the government’s proactive stance towards driving economic growth and employment generation. He highlighted the state’s impressive economic growth rate of 7.63% in 2022-23, surpassing the national average.
Dhami further emphasized the government’s commitment to poverty alleviation, citing statistics from the Multidimensional Poverty Index released by NITI Aayog, which indicated substantial progress in lifting individuals out of poverty.
The budget also prioritizes welfare measures for the disadvantaged, with allocations for housing, food grain supply, and access to essential services, reflecting the government’s holistic approach to inclusive development.
As Uttarakhand charts its path towards prosperity, the ambitious budgetary allocations underscore the government’s resolve to address key socio-economic challenges and propel the state towards a brighter future.