Virbhadra slams Opposition, says Budget is forward looking

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 26

Terming the Budget for the year 2015-16 as forward looking and replete with vision, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today dismissed opposition accusations by stating that the BJP had become habitual of making criticism for the heck of it without there being any substance in their allegations.

Replying to a debate on the Budget proposals for the year 2015-16 presented by him in the Assembly on March 18, the Chief Minister said it was perhaps for the first time that a record number of 43 legislators took part in the debate.

“I fail to understand how can the Budget be termed directionless and disappointing when there are so many schemes and announcement for giving a boost to horticulture, agriculture, animal husbandry and irrigation sector as over 70 per cent of the people reside in rural areas,” he said.

The NDA regime at the Centre has discontinued the funding of the State Plan from 2015-16 and the Annual Plan will have to be funded from the state’s own resources, he charged.

“The NDA Government has reduced the allocation for many Central schemes, which will affect the state adversely especially the districts of Chamba and Sirmour,” he remarked.

He said the per capita income (PCI) had touched the six-figure mark and was estimated to touch Rs 1,04,943, which was a landmark in itself. Electricity generation had increased to 1,951 million unit thereby showing an increase of 7.5 per cent in 2013-14.

“We are alive to the need of resource mobilisation. Report of the Cabinet Sub-Committee will be placed before the Cabinet and needful action will be taken,” he informed the House.

On BJP’s demand for reduction in bus fares, he said they should impress upon the Centre to reduce petrol and diesel prices in proportion to the reduction in prices at the international level. “No developmental work has suffered on account of withdrawal of money from the blocks and this money was lying idle in bank accounts,” he stated.

Leader of Opposition PK Dhumal said several issues raised in the Budget remained unanswered. “The Centre is not bound to accept the recommendations of the Finance Commission. Still, HP was given very high allocation for which you should be grateful to Prime Minister,” he said.