Uttarakhand: ‘New budget will be made as per public sentiments and suggestions’, Dhami said – attention will be given to industry, tourism and farmers

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that public participation is important in budget making. The new budget will be prepared on the basis of public sentiments and suggestions. The new budget is being made keeping in mind the core mantra of sustainable and inclusive development based on innovation and technology.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday participated in the dialogue program before the budget for the financial year 2024-25 in the presence of Finance Minister Premchand at the Chief Sevak Sadan located at the Chief Minister’s residence. Representatives of industry, tourism, dairy development, horticulture, education sectors, farmers, animal herders, fish farmers and lakhpati didi gave suggestions regarding the new budget. On this occasion, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the government is going to present the budget for the next financial year soon. To better understand public aspirations and capabilities, dialogue is an important link in budget formulation. The progress of the economy is directly related to the quality of life of the common people.

There will be all-round progress and the economy will grow

The Chief Minister said that the budget is a mirror of the economic condition and future of the state. The central point of the budget is the overall development of Uttarakhand. To become a leading state in every field, it is necessary to increase Gross Domestic Product (GSDP). For this everyone will have to work together. Only when every resident of the state does good work in his area, the state will make all-round progress and the economy will grow.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttarakhand is touching new heights of development. Bharatmala, Parvatmala, Dedicated Rail Front Corridor projects have given new heights to business and enterprise in the state. Many ambitious projects like Manaskhand Mandir Mala, All Weather Road, Elevated Road, Ropeway Projects, Vande Bharat, Rishikesh-Karnprayag Rail Route are going on under his guidance. Qualitative changes are visible in the economic scenario of the state. The state government has made necessary changes in many policies and benefited more and more people.

Will prove helpful in strengthening the economy of the state

He said that the government has created a positive environment for investment in the primary sector as well as alternative energy, tourism, and industry. MoUs worth Rs 3.56 lakh crore were signed in the Global Investors Summit. We are making efforts in that direction so that investment proposals can bring better results in the state. Our intentions are clear, our thinking is clear, our vision is broad. The current structure and emerging dynamics of the economy are giving us confidence that it will gain further momentum in the times to come. The collective efforts of all of us will prove helpful in strengthening the economy of the state.

State will move forward with collective efforts: Premchand

Finance Minister Premchand Aggarwal said that the government has worked on making the budget a people’s budget. Continuous work is going on to prepare the budget with public participation. Suggestions on the budget are being sought from across the state. With collective efforts we will take the state of Uttarakhand forward. Many works are going on in the field of infrastructure technology agriculture innovation.

There should be provision in the budget for PhD scholars

Giving suggestions regarding the budget, Vice Chancellor of Doon University, Dr. Surekha Dangwal said that there should be a provision in the budget to increase the quality of research for PhD scholars in the field of higher education. Vice Chancellor of Petroleum University, Prof. Ram Sharma said that there should be a provision in the budget to encourage universities performing better in the field of higher education. Tehri District Panchayat President Sona Sajwan said that financial grants to Panchayats should be increased according to the geographical conditions of the state.

Investment should be made on knowledge capital

UCAST Director General Prof Durgesh Pant said that investment should be made on knowledge capital and human capital in the state. Knowledge based economy should be promoted. Also, provision should be made in the budget for the establishment of District Science, Technology and Innovation Centers in every district. He stressed on promoting grass environment products, intellectual social responsibility and artificial intelligence.

Vipin Gupta of the industry expressed the need for budget for converting three wheeler vehicles into electric vehicles along with digital connectivity. Pankaj Gupta said that only local people should get employment from local resources. For this, a separate policy should be made and there should be a provision in the budget. The budget for doubling the Haridwar-Dehradun rail line track should be approved.

Traders should get budget for disaster protection

Entrepreneur Anil Goyal said that arrangements should be made in the budget to protect traders from losses caused by disasters. Abhyudaya Sharma of Haridwar, who is running a homestay, said that a budget should be kept for further promotion and publicity of homestays. Sandeep Singh Rawat, who came from Lansdowne, stressed on the provision of a separate assistance fund for the people associated with tourism. Millionaire Didi Geeta Maurya, who came from Sahaspur, suggested to increase the amount of loan given to the self-help group.

Stone Fruit Mission gets budget

Santosh Negi, who came from Chamba, advocated for giving the amount of transport cost during mushroom cultivation through subsidy. He also suggested to supply the straw (dry fodder) to the mushroom growers through milk committees. Tehri farmer Kundan Singh Pawar stressed on giving priority in the budget to the Stone Fruit Mission like the Apple Mission. Responsible Vishwas Dabur, Additional Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, Additional Chief Secretary Anand Baddhan, Secretary R Meenakshi Sundaram, BVRC Purushottam, Additional Secretary Ranveer Singh Chauhan, Additional Secretary Yugal Kishore Pant, Manmohan Mainali and other persons were present in the dialogue program.