Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Friday presented a Rs 63,502-crore state budget in the Assembly, NDTV reported. Special emphasis has been given to agriculture and women empowerment in the 2016-17 budget.
Das said his government has decided to introduce House Agriculture and Gender Budget as separate sections under the general budget. Almost 13% of the total estimated budget has been earmarked for the agriculture sector, which got Rs 1,200 crore more this year compared with the last fiscal. Das said Rs 13,515.73 crore (21.3%) of the budget will be spent on schemes for the empowerment of women in the state.
The state government aims to build 71 new Smart Police Stations in 16 districts that struggle with extremist militancy. Das also said that 15.3% of the budget was meant for education, art, culture and sports, 13.7% for rural development, 9.7% for social security and 6.32% for energy-related projects.
The Indian Express reported that Das said the budget is not aimed to be "populist", it focuses on what the state and its people need. “For instance, we have decided to give 90 per cent subsidy for solar pumps. The suggestion came from a farmer. A student told us about their regular studies being disturbed due to exams. So, we have decided to set up multi-purpose halls in at least 10 districts. Similarly, it was a journalist who suggested insurance for his fraternity. We are starting that,” Das said.
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