The Haryana Budget presented by Finance Minister Capt. Abhimanyu Singh seems to have bet on higher growth in the State economy. The focus is on increasing revenue by boosting the industrial sector. The government says that the goal is to push 'Made in Haryana’. Assuming the higher revenue, the Budget has increased allocations for education, skill development, job creation and power - leaving a revenue deficit of Rs 9,558 crores. The State debt is expected to increase from Rs 81,836 crores to Rs 98,848 crores. In 2014-15 Haryana grew at 7.8 per cent, against the All India growth rate of 8 per cent. Capt. Abhimanyu said that his Budget aimed at high growth, balanced regional development and good governance. He said that the Budget document was a tool for social development, positive change and inclusion. As a major relief to the common man, and industry as well, the FM did not announce any new taxes. He reduced VAT on bio-fertilisers, LED lights, pipe fittings and prefabricated steel structures. In the social sector, the Finance Minister has announced schemes like Beti Bachao, ASHA, Protsahan Yojana, Aapki Beti-Hamari Beti Scheme and the Kanya Kosh Scheme. The Budget also launched the Swachh Haryana-Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan in villages, along with Vidhayak Aadarsh Gram Yojana and the Swaprerit Aadarsh Gram Yojana (for the development of villages with the support of MLAs and other prominent persons and organisations). The FM also made good on some promises made by the BJP in its election manifesto, like the linking of 4,000 villages with the Internet by September 2015, supply of maize and bajra at subsidised rates through PDS at Rs 1 per kg each, in addition to wheat at Rs 2 per kg. The Budget however does not provide for unemployment allowance for youth, which was promised by the Party. The FM has repeatedly claimed that the economy of the State was in the doldrums when BJP took over, and this Budget has tried to 'rebalance the books' by reducing spend on non-profitable ventures and PSUs. By announcing no district specific program, the govt. has sent the message that it wants equal and uniform development of the entire State. The Budget however omits any mention of EWS Housing or parity in salary of govt. staff vis a vis Punjab employees. GL Sharma, State Executive Manager, BJP Haryana said that more expenditure in the social and infrastructure sectors would spur growth in the State. “The schemes for girl child as well as for villages will transform the rural landscape,” he added. He also opined that focus on skill development and jobs for youth will help tackle the rampant unemployment in the State. The BJP government has also shown through this Budget that equal development in all parts of the State was possible, unlike the past when development was always lopsided, he said. Vashist Kumar Goyal, a businessman, hailed the Budget for imposing no new taxes and for reducing VAT for certain items. “We now must build more flyovers, roads and other infrastructure as these developments fuel growth,” he added.
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