(File photo)
Shimla: Chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who is also the finance minister, on the openingday of the budget session today presented a supplementary budget of Rs 964.13 crore, which included Rs 313.61 crore for plan schemes, Rs 188.51 Cr for centrally sponsored schemes and Rs 462.01 crore for non plan expenditure.
Under plan schemes, Rs 128.62 cr is the states share under Sarav Shiksha Abhiyan Scheme, Rs 64.36 is grant for Himachal Pradesh Univeristy, Rs 21.60 Cr grant for Agriculture University Palampur as well as Horticulture University, Nauni Solan, Rs 12.89 crore for capital works of health department and Rs 7.27 Cr for capital works under central road fund, said the chief minister.
Funds marked for the centrally sponsored schemes includes a provision of Rs 83.58 Cr for mid-day meal scheme, district institute of education training and information and communication technology schemes of the education department. Other expenditure demanded is Rs 28.84 cr for cooperative societies, Rs 24.66 Cr for special nutrition program, Rs 18.41 Cr for distribution of seeds and micromanagement of agriculture, Rs 7.60 crore for centre of excellence under World Bank assistance, Rs 7.08 crore for eradication of foot and mouth disease, Rs 6.51 Cr for police modernization, Rs 3.47 Cr for improving judicial infrastructure and Rs 1.54 crore for National Service Scheme.
The Rs 462.01 Cr non-plan expenditure includes an amount of Rs 234.81 crore for increased salary bill due to release of two installments of Dearness Allowance, Rs 47.11 crore for increased pension liability, Rs 20.11 crore for clearance of pending medical bills, Rs 14.76 crore for clearance of increased liability under office expenses, Rs 10.34 crore for expenditure on municipal and panchayat polls, Rs 6.33 crore for clearing pending travel expenses claims, Rs 4.99 crore for increased wages and Rs 3.58 crore for compensation as per awards by various courts, said Dhumal while presenting these demand as part of supplementary budget.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads the team of media professionals at Hill Post.
In a career spanning over two decades through all formats of journalism in Electronic, Print and Online Media, he brings with him enough experience to steer this platform. He lives in Shimla.