Focus on sustainability in Haryana budget: With no new tax, state gets Rs 1.83 lakh Cr budget

Chandigarh: Sustainability is the focus of the Haryana budget presented on Thursday by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who also holds the portfolio of finance minister.

The budget allocated Rs 1,20,958 crore, or 65.8 per cent of the total Rs1,83,950 crore, for schemes aimed at achievement of SDGs in the state.

Highlights

There is an increase of 11.6% over the revised estimates 2022-23 of Rs 1,64,808 crore, Khattar said while presenting the state budget 2023-24.

Jobs

The budget aims to woo young people with a promise of 65,000 new government jobs, a venture capital fund to encourage new businesses and an incentive for girls to study at technical institutes.

Agriculture and related sectors

At Rs 8,316 crore, the allocation for agriculture and related sectors is up 19 per cent over the previous year and the government will shell out more under pension schemes for the needy.

Gau Sewa Aayog

The budget, which has not proposed any new tax, sets aside Rs 400 crore for the Haryana Gau Sewa Aayog, a 10-time increase in the amount sanctioned last year for the body tasked with taking care of stray cattle.

Insurance scheme

The Chirayu-Ayushman Bharat medical insurance scheme will now cover families earning up to Rs 3 lakh per year. They will pay a premium of Rs 1,500 per year, which is 50 per cent of the subscription amount, to get Rs 5 lakh medical cover.

Social security pensions

Social security pensions for nearly 30 lakh eligible people, including allowances for the elderly, widows and people with disabilities, will increase by Rs 2,500 to Rs 2,750 per month from April 1.

Benefits for girl students

Girl students from families earning up to Rs 3 lakh per year will get Rs 2,500 if they join a government Industrial Training Institute.