Budget 2020-21
ManpreetSingh Badal Finance Minister 28 February, 2020 Mr. Speaker Sir,
- It is my proud privilege to present to this August House the 4thBudget of the Government led by Capt. Amarinder Singh ji.
- Three years ago, when I stood here before you, I was dejected. The mood was sombre, and the air was melancholy. A decade of financial mismanagement and fiscal profligacy had created economicturmoil, chaos and disarray: simply put, the state’s finances were in shambles. Mr Speaker Sir, numbers don’t lie, and in 2017 when I took charge, Punjab’s ledgers reflected the cost of denial, deceit and financial abuse.
- It is my honour to convey to this House, that the Congress government headed by Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh ji, has been successful in staying true to its commitment to improve the fiscal condition of Punjab. We have been fortunate to benefit from his leadership, but we have also been diligent, and diligence is the mother of good fortune.
- Speaker sir, I have brought myself, by a long process of meditation, to the conviction that a human being, with a settled purpose, must accomplish it, and that nothing can resist a WILL which will stake even ones ‘Existence’ upon its fulfilment. Speaker sir, it is the settled purpose of myself and this government, to reverse the fortunes of Punjab, pull it from the abyss the previous regime had left it; to wither in, and reclaim its lost glory. Punjab must be, as it has been for most of its history, synonymous with prosperity and plenty, not suffering and squalor.
- The great Benjamin Disraeli once said, “Seeing much, suffering much, and studying much, are the three pillars of learning.” Speaker sir, in my long political career I have seen, suffered and studied profusely. And this has allowed me to learn that ultimately, the thing that the Punjabi values above all else, is Fairness. This same observation has been made by every group of people that invaded or settled in this land, from the Greeks to the British. The overarching aim of this budget is to offer the State of Punjab‘Financial Fairness’.
- Consequently, my work as Finance Minister has pivoted on a few critical concerns, that I have used as guiding principles. Firstly, speak the absolute truth about the state’s finances. Second, be a careful custodian of the state finances. Third, be just, fair and equitable in the distribution of finances. And finally, look ahead at the future and ensure that the state is on a sound footing, with every decision aimed towards the welfare of its people.
- Sir William Beveridge, the acclaimed English economist described the five economic giants— Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor and Idleness. With all humility, I would like to say that this budget in specific, and the policies of the Capt. Amarinder Singh’s government are essentially focused on combating these five issues.
- Speaker Sir, the State of Punjab has always been at the forefront of nation building. We represent the solid foundation on which this country is built. We may be a small state, but we are a great one. Since time immemorial, it is the people of Punjab that have waged battle against marauding invaders and guarded the sacred frontiers of this subcontinent. When conditions necessitated that national security be determined less by military might and more by food supplies, Punjab volunteered to become the granary of a famished India. Despite our contributions and the fact that we bore the brunt of the partition, wars, militancy, drugs and other attempts to destabilise India by external forces, help from Delhi has not been forth coming. Far from being rewarded for our extraordinary and singular sacrifices, we are not even given our constitutional dues. While this is indeed disturbing, we will not be demoralised or defeatist: these are the characteristics of the weak, unbecoming of proud Punjabis. Our rich history serves as concrete evidence of how we have overcome our challenges by the dint of our own efforts and resilience. Our economic situation may be far from perfect, and adequate help may not be forthcoming, but on behalf of people of Punjab I can say that we will pass this ordeal with flying colours—the way we have done so often in past—without much help from outside.I am reminded of the hauntingly beautiful words of the great poet of Punjab Dr.Mohd. Sir Alama Iqbal I quote in original:
“ZindaRehna Hai To Halaat Se DarnaKaisa,
Jung Lazim Ho Toh Lashkar NaheDekheJate”
(fizdkofjBk j? s’Ajkbks s/ voBke?;k,
izrbkfIw j’ s’ bPeoBjhAd/y/iks/)
- I can draw the attention of this august house only to the important facts of the finances of our State. Details have been brought out with great care in the lucid Explanatory Memorandum circulated separately. I must attempt a survey un-encumbered by details to assist the Hon’ble members to form a clear and definite picture of our finances.
- Speaker Sir, it gives me pleasure to inform this house that due to the earnest efforts of the Hon’ble Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh Ji and the strong presentation and advocacy of the case of the State, the 15th Finance Commission, in its first report for the financial year 2020-21, has recommended an increased share of 1.788% in the devolution of net proceeds of taxes which was earlier 1.577% for XIV FC period 2015-20. The Government of Punjab expresses its sincere gratitude to the Chairman and the Members of the 15th Finance Commission for their kind consideration of the views of the State while making their recommendations. The Government of India has accepted these recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission for the year 2020-21.
- As opposed to my feelings three years ago, today, I am a reasonably content man. The state’s finances are back on track. All financial indicators of Punjab are better in 2020 than they were in 2010. The fiscal situation is now under control, with the indicators going up and Punjab’s economy is better than before. The next two years will witness a substantial improvement in the lives of Punjabis.
- Sir, due to the determined efforts of this Government, we have not only improved upon the key fiscal indicators but have also brought in a culture of fiscal management, and my claim is substantiated with the following numbers:
Table: Comparison of Fiscal numbers for the years 2014-17 viz 2017-20 | |||||||
Number of Days in | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20* | |
Treasury Bills | 50 | 91 | 21 | 52 | 132 | 118 | |
Ways & Means Advance and Overdraft | 177+138 = 315 | 217+57 =274 | 165+ 179 =344 | 213+100= 313 | 170+63= 233 | 160+47= 207 |
* For the year 2019-20 data is as upto23.02.2020.
- I would like to remind members of this house that this Government actually inherited a closed treasury. The Reserve Bank of India closes the treasury of a State when it remains in a period of double overdraft (beyond Ways and Means Advance and Overdraft) for 5 days continuously. I must inform that the State treasury remained in period of Double overdraftfor 25 days in 2014-15, 7 days in 2015-16 and 16 days in 2016-17. I would very humbly inform this house that in the last three years of this Government we have not had to face the unsavoury situation of going into double overdraft even for a single day.
- By reducing the days of Ways and Means Advances and Overdraft, the State has been able to saveinterest payments of nearlyRs. 10.75 crore in 2017-18, Rs. 21.70 crore in 2018-19 and Rs. 20 crore in 2019-20 (as on 23.02.2020). Further, through active Debt Management, the State has been able to save another Rs. 7.50 crore by approaching the market with variable tenures and re-issuance of securities.
- Sir, the expenditure on capital works may not have shown an encouraging picture butI will be failing in my duty if I do not highlight that just because of the Long-term CCL debt, the State would have paid till March 2020 a whoppingRs. 10,530 crore on account of its servicing. The honourable members of the house and the State can just visualise how much development we could have done if the previous government had not left us this legacy. I have done some rough estimations and just to put things in perspective, with this money, we could have:
- Built two 4-lane highways @ Rs. 5 crore/km (Punjab is approx. 250km from Pathankot- Shambhu and Chandigarh- Abohar, respectively) i.e.Rs. 2,500 crore.
- 3new Medical Colleges @ Rs. 400 crore i.e. Rs. 1,200 crore.
- A new 100-bedded Hospital in each district @ Rs. 40 crore each i.e. Rs. 900 crore.
- 5 new Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in each constituency@ Rs. 1 crore eachi.e. Rs. 600 crore.
- A new Senior Secondary Schools in each constituency@ Rs. 15 crore each i.e. Rs. 1,800 crore.
- A new ITI in each constituency@ Rs. 5 croreeach i.e. Rs. 600 crore.
- 2 new500acre Industrial Parks @ Rs. 1000 crore each i.e. Rs. 2,000 crore.
- A Rs. 1,000 crore dedicated corpus fund for agricultural research, technological innovation and diversification that would have boosted the income of the Punjabi farmer.
- Speaker Sir and my honourable colleagues this is what Punjab has lost in the last three years for what the previous government did while demitting office. I must add that this is only 1/6th of the total burden of Rs. 57,358 crore that each Punjabi will have to discharge tillSeptember 2034. Just imagine, six times of the above infrastructure that we could have created had this deal not been signed by the previous government. Just calculate the economic multiplier effect of this huge capital investment that could have happened, and how much employment it would have generated and the prosperity it would have brought about. I would repeat what I had said earlier in the house “This was the unkindest cut of them all”.
FISCAL ROADMAP
- Speaker Sir, nonetheless wesoldier on. We are all aware of the economic slowdown in the country. However, given the composition of the states’ economy, our advanced estimates indicate that during 2019-20, the GSDP of the State has increasedfrom Rs. 5,21,861crorein2018-19toRs. 5,74,760croreatcurrentprices.Iamhopefulthatas a result of the progressive policies of this Government, the state’s GSDP during the year 2020-21 would further rise to Rs. 6,44,326 crore. The per capita income of thestatehasalsoincreasedfromRs. 1,54,996in2018-19toRs. 1,66,830in2019-20 and is 23.53% higher than the national average ofRs. 1,35,050.
- As a resultof the fiscal recovery, this year we have estimated that the State’sTotalRevenueReceipts (TRR)areestimatedto rise from Rs. 73,975crore in 2019-20 (RE) to Rs. 88,004 crore in 2020-21 (BE), an increase of 18.96%. During the same period, the Own Tax Revenue (OTR) is peggedtogrowfromRs. 33,739crorein2019-20(RE)toRs. 35,824crorein 2020-21(BE). It is due to the efforts and sincerity of my Government that despite the subdued economic mood of the nation ourTotal Revenue Receipts increased by 18.80% in 2019-20 and are further expected to increase by18.96% in 2020-21.
- It is the duty of any Government to increase public expenditure and investment during times of slowdown to boost demand and consumption. With this objective in mind, the State’s Total Expenditure is projected to be at Rs. 1,54,805 crore in 2020-21 (BE). A breakdown of the Total Expenditure shows that the State’s Revenue Expenditure is expected to grow from Rs. 86,602 crore in 2019-20 (RE) to Rs. 95,716 crore in 2020-21 (BE), an increase of 10.52%. During the same period, Expenditure on Salaries, Wages and Grant-in-Aid (salary) is likely to increase from Rs. 25,449crore to Rs. 27,639 crore, and on Pensions from Rs. 10,213 crore to Rs. 12,267 crore, posting an increaseof8.61%and20.11%,respectively.
- Taking a holistic view of the given circumstances of trends in receipts, expendituresandcommittedliabilities,IhavebeenabletopegtheRevenueDeficit at 1.2% of GSDP in the year 2020-21(BE).
- Inspite of the daunting challenges before us, we have beenable to maintain the Fiscal Deficit at 2.61% in 2017-18 and 3.08% in 2018-19 as against the budget estimates of 4.96% and 3.81% for the respective years.
- Another important indicator of our being on the trajectory of fiscal recovery is the fact that in line with my promise of financial fairness and accountability, I had beeninforming the house while presenting the Budgetthat there was afunding gap of Rs. 10,273 crore in2017-18; a gap of Rs. 4,175 crore in 2018-19 and Rs. 2,323 crore in 2019-20 in our Budget Estimates. I am pleased to state that as a result of our sustained effortsof bringing infiscal prudence, the Fiscal Deficit is estimated at 2.92% for 2020-21(BE), which is well within the limit of 3% prescribed under the Punjab Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003. Thus,within 3 years we are back on track and we have reached a situation where thereis no funding gap for the year 2020-21.It gives me pleasure to state that therefore, in the coming fiscal year my Government has proposed to increase the Capital Expenditure to Rs. 10,280 crore which was just Rs. 4,013 crore (excluding effect of UDAY) in 2019-20 (RE) and this increased Capital Expenditure will boost employment and consumption, giving the much necessary impetus to the State’s economy.
DEBT POSITION
Mr. Speaker Sir,
- With the improvement in the collection of Total Revenue Receipts of the State over past two years,theratioofInterestPaymentto Total Revenue Receipts has reduced from 28.93% in 2017-18 to 26.19% in 2018-19. Further, for 2019-20 (RE) and 2020-21(BE), this ratio is expected to be 23.82% and 21.68%, respectively.Of course, thisexorbitantlyhighinterestburdenpart of which is the result of some non-developmental debt isacontinuousdrag on the preciousresources of the State.
- 03.2020isprojectedatRs. 2,28,906 crore which is 39.83% of GSDP for 2019-20(RE) and the Outstanding Debt is likely to be Rs. 2,48,236 crore in 2020-21(BE) which is 38.53% of GSDP.The increase in debt is as per the provisions allowed under the FRBM Act of Punjab. We have also been able to continuously reduce the Debt/GSDP ratio from what weinherited i.e. from 42.75% in 2016-17 to 40.77% in 2017-18 and further reduced to 40.61% in 2018-19. Further for 2019-20 (RE) this ratio is likely to be 39.83% and for 2020-21(BE) we hope to further reduce it to 38.53%. Though, the servicing of the state’s huge debt pre-empts its major revenue receipts, but we have ensured an overall development of the State with our fiscal discipline of spending judiciously. Thereckless fiscal management of ten years of previous government had put our State in worse than a Debt Trapscenario from where we are consistently pulling our State out.
- ThepercentageofOutstandingDebt to Total Revenue Receipts has declined from 368.15% in 2017-18 to 340.32 % in 2018-19; to 309.44% in 2019-20(RE) and is projected at 282.07% in 2020-21.
- Before moving forward with the budget proposals for the next year, I would like to inform the House that an Action Taken Report on all the Budget Assurances made during the previous 3 years has been presented in detail in Statement Number XX of the Annual Financial Statement 2020-21. We have been transparent not only in our working but also in our reporting, and while most of the assurances stand completed, in some cases, work is in progress, while in few there may have been a re-think on account of certain constraints. I shall also be reportingon some of these Budget Assurances in the latter half of my speech.
Mr. Speaker Sir,
- Before I give a synopsis of the steps that we are taking in different sectors, I would like to give you an overall picture. Our Government, in pursuance of its commitment towards the welfare and development of agriculture and allied activitieshasproposedthebudgetaryallocationsof 12,526 crore for theagricultureandalliedsector. Similarly, allocation of Rs. 13,092 crore and Rs. 4,675 crore has been proposed for Education and Health sectorsrespectively.For Social Justice, Empowerment & Minorities and Social Security, Women and Child Development, Rs. 901 crore and Rs. 3,498 crore of allocations have been provided, while for Sports and Youth Services, Rs. 270 crore has been provisioned.Further, the allocation to develop our rural and urban infrastructure is Rs. 3,830 crore and Rs. 5,026 crore respectively. An allocation of Rs. 2,276 crore has been made for improving accessibility and connectivity& Rs. 2,029 crore andRs. 2,510crore has been providedfor Water Supply and Sanitation and Water Resources. Thus, my budget focuses on those sections of the society which a budget should ideally address- farmers; women and persons with disabilities; youth; SC/BC and minorities. Also, it is our endeavour to provide for a dignified living to our citizens through quality infrastructure and systems that improve the human resource potential of the State viz,education, health, etc.
- The Government has not only enhanced the budgetary outlays for the much-needed sections of the society, but a long-term visionary roadmap is also being laid down for the State byintegrating the outcomes of our interventions with the goals set under the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations and adopted by India.These goals comprehensively cover social, economic and environmental dimensions.Many of the Departments haveprepared their Four-Year Strategic Action Plan (4SAP)– 2019-23 and wehave linked the release of funds to the implementing departments with their Strategic Action Plans. The Strategic Action Plans of 16 Departments have already been approved by the Council of Ministers and the performance parameters are being prescribed for every key personnel responsible for implementation of the department’s policies, programmes and schemes. An online monitoring system of key results has also been developed.
FARMERS WELFARE
AGRICULTURE
- Punjab, the agricultural backbone of India, alone contributes about 19% of Wheat, 11% of rice, 5% of cotton, 10% of milk, 20% of honey and 48% of mushrooms grown in the country.
- Our Government has taken significant measures in improving the institutional framework to strengthen the agriculture sector by enactment of thePunjab State Farmers and Farm Workers Commission Act, 2017 to empower and safeguard the interests of the farming community. Further, the Punjab State Council for Agricultural Education to promote Agricultural Education in the State has also been established. We have also amended the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961 to ensure agricultural marketing reforms and greater use of technology.
- I am happy to share with the members that the total remuneration of farmers from Government procurement of food grains has increased by about Rs. 44,000 crore since April 2017 over the corresponding procurement seasons of the previous Government. Also, the farmers’ income through sale of foodgrains has increased by more than 35% ever since the Government took over in March 2017.
- Our Government has taken several steps to further boost the agricultural production and as a result of these concerted efforts the State witnessed a record production of 199.65 LMT of paddy, with highest productivity of 65.16 quintal per hectare. Further, the total production of cereals has risen from 30.75 million tonnes in 2016-17 to 31.7 million tonnes in 2017-18.The State of Punjab resultantly has bagged the Krishi Karman Award for the year 2017-18.
- Speaker Sir, we are all aware of the deficiency of the extension services in the agriculture sector and the need to have trained professionals who can help the farmer diversify and boost his current income. As part of this vision we propose to set uptwo new Agricultural colleges at Gurdaspur and Balachaur (SBS Nagar). An initial allocation of Rs.14croreisbeing provided during 2020-21 for this purpose.
FREE POWER TO FARMERS
- My Government in its firm commitment of supporting the distressed farmers has fulfilled one more of its promise of supplying free power to the agriculture sector. I propose an allocation of Rs. 8,275 crore in 2020-21 in this regard for this purpose.
RASHTRIYA KRISHI VIKAS YOJNA (RKVY)
- TheRashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) was introduced with an objective to incentivize the States for drawing up comprehensive agriculture development plans considering the agro-climatic condition, natural resources and technology and to ensure more inclusive and integrated development of agriculture and allied services. An outlay Rs. 200 crore has been provided for this scheme during 2020-21.
- Speaker Sir, as assured, a new Veterinary College in Rampura Phul has been established at a cost of Rs. 92 crore and the first batch of 80 studentsin Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry has been admitted in 2019-20.
PRADHAN MANTRI KRISHI SINCHYAI YOJANA (PMKSY)
- PMKSY envisions access to some means of protective irrigation for all agriculture farms in the country and to produce more output per unit of water. Schemes cutting across various related departments i.e. Agriculture, Water Resources, Rural Development have been converged under the umbrella of PMKSY. An amount of Rs. 141crore has been allocated for PMKSY in2020-21.
SAVE WATER, SAVE PUNJAB
PANNI BACHAO PAISA KAMAO
- A pilot project of Direct Benefit Transfer of Electricity (DBTE) for Agriculture consumers under the banner of “PaaniBachaoPaiseKamao” scheme with an objective of motivating the farmers to cultivate diversified crops, improve the efficiency in water usage and to bring transparency in subsidy disbursal has been initiated on 6 feeders and 221 farmers have already enrolled under this scheme. The initial results of the scheme have been encouraging and the scheme is being expanded to cover 244 Feeders during 2020-21. Demo farms for exposure and motivation of other farmers to voluntarily adopt the scheme are also being set up. An allocation of Rs. 40 crore has been provided for this purpose during 2020-21.
- In our endeavour for optimal utilisation of irrigation water from canal outlet, 90% assistance is being provided for Community Underground Pipeline Projects and 50% subsidy is being provided to individual farmers for Underground Pipeline Projects. Under this scheme, 46,937 km long pipeline has been laid down benefitting 4,94,083 hectares of area. Further, to ensure optimum utilization of irrigation water on an area of 200 hectares, upto 80% subsidy has been provided to farmers for Installation of Micro Irrigation system for precision irrigation. I propose an allocation of Rs. 100 crore for these schemes during 2020-21.
- The present Government would have installed 11,371 solar pumps in the agriculture sector by the end of this financial year. Another, 12,000 solar pumps will be installed in the next 3 years.Further, as part of solarization of agriculture pumps, it has been decided to do a pilot project for solarization of 11 KV Nathu Chahal agriculture feeder under sub-division Kala Sanghia, Kapurthala by installing individual solar pumps during the year.
AGRICULTURE DIVERSIFICATION
CROP DIVERSIFICATION
- Punjab uses over 65 billion cubic meters of water annually, the major portion of which is used for producing paddy. As per the latest report, the ground water level is depleting at the rate of 49 centimetre per year. Out of 138 Blocks of the State, 109 Blocks are over exploited in terms of ground water usage, 2 are critical and another 5 fall in the semi critical category. Water draft through tube-wells for many districts is very high, viz. Sangrur (260%), Patiala (217%), Jalandhar (239%) and Kapurthala (224%). As per the latest survey report of the Central Ground Water Authority, the extraction of groundwater is 165% of recharge in Punjab. This has led to various environmental concerns such as over exploitation of ground water, depleting soil productivity, excess use of fertilizers and increasing air pollution in the month of November due to stubble burning.
- During 2019-20, as a result of our sustained diversification efforts 6.29 lac hectare of basmati has been sow Further, a massive campaign has been launched for producing residue-free Basmati and to discourage/reduce the use of pesticides during the kharif, leading to an increase in the export potential of Basmati from Punjab. This would ultimately pass on the benefit to the farmers in terms of better price realization for Basmati. Farmers growing basmati can also know the traceability of the produce by registering on a dedicated website for this purpose.
- I would like to inform that18,000 hectares in critical blocks have been brought under maize crop. Besides, area under cotton has also increased to 3.92 lac hectare whereas area under vegetables crop is increasing consistently during the past two years at the rate of 4.95-5.42%. Also, Kinnow acreage has increased to 53 thousand hectare and area under guava has also increased to 9.1 thousand hectares.
- To further boost the diversification efforts, the Government will notify an appropriate incentive scheme for encouraging the farmers to grow alternative crops especially Maize. I propose an allocation of Rs. 200 crore this year to encourage crop diversification. This will go a long way not only in saving the precious natural resource of water, but also improving the air quality of the State especially during winter months of October and November.
- The Government as a part of its diversification efforts will modernise Gurdaspur and Batalasugar-mills for which an allocation of Rs. 50 crore has been made. An allocation of Rs. 100 crore is also proposed for the year 2020-21 to provide support to sugarcane farmers of the State.
- The Government will set up an Agricultural Marketing Innovation Research and Intelligence Centre (AMIRIC) at Mohali (SAS Nagar) under PAU, Ludhiana. This centre willwork in close collaboration with various departments to provide marketing intelligence services to farmers to assist themin better area production planning and empowering them to have informed income enhancing decisions. An allocation of Rs. 10 crore for providing a one-time corpus grant for this Centre is proposed for this purpose during 2020-21.
HORTICULTURE
- Currently, horticulture crops are contributing 12.43% value to state’s agriculture GDP from only 4.83% share of gross cropped area. Our Government is laying a special emphasis on horticulture, marketing of produce and food processing to ensure a sustainable success of this effort.
- Further, continuing with promotion of horticulture diversification, Citrus cultivation will be diversified by introducing new sweet orange and mandarin varieties in the state in coordination with PAU, Ludhiana. Four new horticulture estates i.e. Pear Estate in Verka (Amritsar), Litchi Estate in Sujanpur (Pathankot), Guava Estate in Wajidpur (Patiala) and Horticulture Estate in Kotkapura (Faridkot) are being established. To standardize and demonstrate the latest floriculture technologies suitable to Punjab’s conditions, the work for establishing a Centre of Excellence of Floriculture under Indo-Dutch Work plan is in progress at Doraha, Ludhiana.
FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY
- The success of crop diversification also requires a thriving food processing sector as a forward linkage. Due to the progressive policies of this Government, 166 project applications with a proposed investment of Rs. 3839 crore have been received in the food-processing sector alone. The State Government intends to bring amendments to its Industrial and Business Development Policy, 2017 (IBDP) with an objective to allow higher incentives to the food processing industry (other than paddy and beverages). It shall help in creating a market for food products like horticulture crops, milk and animal husbandry products leading to higher income for the farming community.
- Speaker Sir, as promised, our Government has set up a Mega Food Park at Ladhowal, Ludhiana with an investment of Rs.125 crore which is now operational. With an investment of Rs. 110 crore till now, 9 companies/corporate houses including Godrej Tyson Foods, Iscon Balaji Foods, Bharti Del Monte etc. have set up/setting up their respective units. The Food Park can accommodate 25 to 30 units and provide employment opportunities to over 1500 persons.
CROP RESIDUE MANAGEMENT
- Under the in-situ Crop Residue Management, total of 28,609 residue management machines have been provided at a subsidised rate to 12,075 individual farmers and 5,439 through Custom Hiring Centres (CHC).
- Further, even without any support from the Government of India, the State has paid compensation @ Rs. 100 per quintal in addition to the MSP to its farmers for Crop Residue Management. A total of Rs. 20 crore to 31,231 farmershas already been paid this year.Our Chief Minister has been repeatedly requesting the Prime Minister to include an incentive @Rs. 100/ quintal in addition to MSP for the additional cost of Stubble Management machinery to prevent stubble burning. However, the Union Budget this year has again failed to address this issue.
DEBT RELIEF
- Sir, inspite of the fiscal mismanagement challenges that we inherited from the previous government, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh Ji has lived up to his word of providing relief to the debt-ridden farmers of the State. The State under its flagship programme “Crop Loan Waiver Scheme” has waived off the entire crop loans of all small and marginal farmers (upto 5 acres) having loans upto Rs. 2 lakhs.For the next phase, a total allocation of Rs. 2000 crore including Rs 520 crore specifically for waiving off the loans of Landless and Farm workers is being provided during 2020-21.
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, FISHERIES AND DAIRY DEVELOPMENT
Agricultural allied activities involving livestock are important constituents of the Government’s plan to increase farmers income, diversification and growth of rural economy.I am happy to share with the house that the State has received the Best Performing State Award under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission in 2018.
- Further,Punjab has alsobecome the first State in the country for production of Swine Fever Vaccine at Punjab Veterinary Vaccine Institute, Ludhiana. To protect livestock against contagious diseases, Punjab Veterinary Vaccine Institute, Ludhiana will be upgraded at a cost of Rs. 32 crore.
- A VeterinaryCollege and Regional Research Centre, as a constituent college of GADVASU, Ludhiana will be set up at the cost ofRs. 62 crore at village Sappanvali, district Fazilka. An initial allocation ofRs. 10crore has been proposed for this purpose during 2020-21.
DAIRY DEVELOPMENT
- As committed by the Government, Buffalo Research Centre is being established at a cost of Rs. 20 crore in the district of TarnTaran and is expected to be completedby December 2020.
- With special emphasis on Dairy Development and growth of milk production, we intend to raise the dairy production by 7% during 2020-21 leading to a daily production of 400 lac litres and a marketable surplus of about 250 lac litres milk. Further, for motivating people to take up dairy farming, 150 village-level awareness camps and training at 9 Training and Extension Centres would be conducted with special emphasis on Scheduled Caste beneficiaries.
- Despite private sector washing its hands off from procuring milk in the state due to slump in commodity prices, MILKFED stood by the milk producers and procured, on an average, 16.40 lakh kg milk per day during 2018-19. The Verka Mega Dairy project at BassiPathana, will be completed by the end of this year and it will process one million litres of milk per day. An allocation of Rs. 41 crore is beingprovidedto complete this project in 2020-21.
- My Government has also unveiled a new milk powder plant at a project cost of Rs. 35 crore at Jalandhar. This plant would be able to convert 2.5 lakh litres of milk to milk powder. Resultantly, the handling capacity of Jalandhar Dairy will increase from 2.5 LLPD to 5 LLPD.
- Further, a New Cattle Feed Plant is being set up at Kapurthala at a cost of 13 crore. It shall be completed, and trial production shall commence in March 2020. The plant is equipped with latest techniques and energy efficient equipment to reduce the fuel cost by minimum 20%.
STRAY CATTLE MANAGEMENT
- This house has often shared concern about the menace of stray cattle. I propose an allocation of Rs. 25 crore this year for state-wide strengthening of the cattle pound’sinfrastructure with an objective of managing and containing these stray cattle.
FISHERIES
Mr. Speaker Sir,
- Another thrust area during 2020-21 would be of increasing area under fish cultivation and fish productivity. In order to meet the gap between demand and supply of quality fish seed in the state, a Government Fish Seed Farm has been established at Village Alisher Khurd in district Mansa.
- A high fish production technology of Re-circulatory Aquaculture system has been introduced during the year 2019-20, and we propose to further expand it to 8 units during this year. Also, in 2020-21, our Government would bring new area of 200 hectares and 3000 hectares under shrimp and fish culture respectively.
COOPERATION
- The present government has fulfilled its promise by notifying the necessary amendment to stop the attachment of the land of farmers who have defaulted in the repayment of their loans by deleting Section 67-A of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Act, 1961, providing a great relief to the farmers.
- The amalgamation of 20 District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) with the Punjab State Cooperative Bank has been carried out to strengthen the State’s rural credit system and facilitate farmers in availing credit from Cooperative Banks. Further, e-Stamp facility has been launched in DCCBs.
DRUG DE ADDICTION
Mr. Speaker Sir,
- Elimination of drugs from Punjab is our pledge which shall be fulfilled at all costs. Immediately after assuming office, our Government had setup a Special Task Force (STF) to tackle the Drug menace.
- Under the rehabilitation program193 OOAT clinics arenow functional in all the districts of the State. 1,11,190 registered patients and another 2,25,138 patients are under rehabilitation from the registered De-addiction centres. 25 more OOAT clinics will be made operational soon.
- The Government has also launched the Buddy’s Program to prevent addiction and inform about the ill-effects of drugs to all schools and college students. Upto December 2019, 1,27,146 senior buddies; 7,48,926 buddy groups and 37,36,718 number of students have been covered. As part of this strategy, the Drug Abuse Prevention Officers’ (DAPO) Program was also launched and around 5.36 lakh DAPOs self-volunteers have been enrolled for creating a mass anti-drug abuse movement and supporting those in need.
YOUTH -SPORTS, EMPLOYMENTAND INDUSTRIES
SPORTS & YOUTH AFFAIRS
- Our Government endeavours to promote sports culture in the State with an enhanced allocation of Rs. 270 crore during 2020-21. A comprehensive Sports policy has been notified to encourage Sports through larger participation; focus on High Potential Games to win Medals; structured changes in Curriculum to involve children and youth; increased and graded financial assistance to medal winners and to provide job opportunities to deserving sportspersons in Government and outside.
SPORTS UNIVERSITY
- To provide a boost to sporting activities, the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University is being set up at Patiala and admission have been made during this session 2019-20. We shall continue to provide the requisite funds during the year, for the expeditious completion of this project.
UPGRADATION AND STRENTHENING OF EXISTING SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE
- The Government will construct new stadiums and upgrade/strengthen the existing Sports Infrastructure to Multipurpose Sports field, Multipurpose Sports Hall, Swimming Pool and various Sports grounds in the State. Astroturf and synthetic track and courts of International standards will also be made available to career sports persons. I propose an allocation of Rs. 35 crore during 2020-21 and more steps for creating Sports Infrastructure under Khelo India Scheme shall also be undertaken.
SMART PHONES TO YOUTH
- My Government had made a promise to distribute 10 lakh Smart Phones to young people under the Scheme “Free Smart Mobile Phones to the Youth”. However, due to the coronavirus outbreak in China, the supply of smart phones has been halted by the bidder company. We expect the delivery of smartphones to start from April 2020 onwards. A provision of Rs. 100 crore is earmarked for this purpose during 2020-21.
EMPLOYMENT GENERATION AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT
- The Government of India may not have paid even a lip service to the problem of unemployment, but the Government of Punjab is steadfast in resolving it. My Government under the flagship mission of providing GharGhar Rozgar is committed to ensuring one job for each household that do not have any person in wage or self-employment. The Punjab GharGhar Rozgar and Karobar Mission (PGRKAM) has been established to enhance the employability of the youth through skill training, counselling and vocational guidance. The Government is also putting in place suitable policy interventions to improve the employment opportunities.
- The Government has also established one stop 22 state-of-the-art District Bureaus of Employment and Enterprise (DBEE) providing career counselling, free internet, skill training options, foreign placements, self-employment opportunities to the unemployed youths.
- Moving a step further, in the year 2020-21, we aim to organize over 800 placement camps and help 1,50,000 applicants in gaining employment and provide assistance to 69,600 unemployed applicants through career counselling.
- To support the activities of Employment Generation and Training department, I propose an outlay of Rs. 324 crore for this year. This is about 20 times increase over the Budget Estimates of Rs. 17.52 crore in 2016-17, the last year of the previous Government.
- My Government proposes to establish an Armed Force Preparatory Institute at Hoshiarpur for helping the youth of Punjab join theArmed Forces by keeping the entry at graduate level for CDSE, AFCAT, TGC, JAG, NCC Special Entry Scheme, Short Services Commission-Non Technical (SCC(NT)) and shall endeavour to target admission of the youth in Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officer Training Academy (OTA), Air Force Training Academy and Naval Academy. An outlay of Rs. 11 crore is proposed for this purpose during 2020-21for setting up this institute for which land has already been identified.
PUNJAB SKILL DEVELOPMENT MISSION
- The Punjab Skill Development Mission has been set up by the government to develop the skills of unemployed candidates of Punjab and to enable them to get private jobs. Under this Mission 41,660 candidates have been trained and 15,375 candidates facilitated for placements till 30/11/2019. The target is to skill at least 25000 youth till 31/03/2020.I propose Rs. 148 crore in budget 2020-21 for training of 44365 candidates.
INDUSTRIES & COMMERCE
PROGRESSIVE PUNJAB INVESTORS SUMMIT 2019
- My Government had organized a Progressive Punjab Investors Summit at Mohali (SAS Nagar) on 5th and 6th December 2019. The idea of the two-day summit was “Building Partnerships for Inclusive Growth: MSMEs in the Global Value Chain” and offering investment opportunities across various sectors. Besides the above, the State has also been organizing various road shows and international events to promote industrial investment in Punjab. This has led to 931 proposals with a proposed investment of about Rs. 57,735 crore, involving new employment opportunities for about 2 lac persons during the last two and half years.
- We are conscious of the immense employment potential of tourism and Real Estate sectors, and the importance of garnering greater investment into these sector can hardly be ignored. Further, in order to enhance farmer’s income and move him up the value chain it is important to bring greater private investment in Agriculture, Food Processing and the allied sectors. The State thus now endeavours to invite sector specific investors to boost investment in Real Estate, Tourism and Agriculture for which purpose events would be held in the year 2020-21.
EASE OF DOING BUSINESS
- The State has taken the ease of doing business in the State to the next level by replacing multiple electronic interfaces of various regulatory departments and agencies by setting up a unified “Business First” Portal. In addition, aPortal has also been launched to ensure online regulatory clearance and fiscal incentive approvals to all MSMEs and large-scale unit proposals. District Level Single Window Committee headed by Deputy Commissioners have been authorized to mentor all projects of MSMEs for regulatory approvals and sanctioning of fiscal cases under Industrial and Business Development Policy 2017. Invest Punjab has received 55 Common Application forms with a proposed investment of Rs. 21,536 crore and employment generation of 30,700 within 10 days of launching of the “Business First” Portal.
- Our Government has constituted the State level Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Councils in all the districts under section 21 of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 to provide door-step facilitation to MSMEs of the districts. In order to give boost to Ease of Doing Business initiatives, the State has implemented the Business Reforms Action Plan released by Government of India (BRAP 2019) and notable reforms are:
- Invest Punjab Business First Portal extended to Districts.
- Online land allotment through e-Auction.
- Central Inspection System, No surprise inspections without HoD approval in Labour, Boiler, PPCB.
- Electricity Connection in 7/15 (with RoW) days in Industrial Focal Points.
STARTUP AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT
- The State Government has launched the Punjab Start-up Portal to act as a platform for start-ups to connect and collaborate with all elements of the start-up ecosystem. Also, a MoU has been signed between Department of Industries, Software Technology Parks of India and Indian School of Business for making Mohali (SAS Nagar) as India’s biggest government-supported Start-up Hub.
- As assured in 2019-20, the Government has issuedthe “Make in Punjab” Order, 2019 to provide a boost to the Punjab-based industry with the approval given to preference in public procurement to the goods/products manufactured by the industry in the State. A necessary provision to enable the preferential treatment to local industry in public Procurement has also been incorporated in the recently enacted Punjab Transparency in Public Procurement Act, 2019.
MEGA INDUSTRIAL PARKS
- The Government has taken comprehensive steps to revive industry in the State of Punjab and to attract new investments from other parts of the country and world. Inspite of a weak investment climate in the country, Punjab has been able to show good progress on this front. We are conscious that concerted efforts need to be made to keep the momentum. Our outreach efforts and meetings with investors have shown that most of the investors demand pre-cleared industrial sites with provision of all utilities including power, water etc. for setting up their industrial units.
- The Government plans to develop 3 mega Industrial Parks over 1000 acre eachwith state-of-art industrial infrastructure to cater to the demands of the industry. Ludhiana industrial park with special emphasis on textile industry will be developed near Mattewara, Ludhiana. An industrial park with special emphasis on green industry will be developed in Bathinda. Similarly, an Integrated Manufacturing Cluster shall be developed on Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor near Rajpura. In addition, on the request of the panchayat of Wazirabad, District Fatehgarh Sahib, an industrial park with special emphasis on pharmaceutical units shall be developed in an area of 125 acres. The development of these parks will not only help industrialization but will also give a strong push to the efforts of the Government for planned development in the State.
UP-GRADATION OF INDUSTRIAL INFRASTUCTURE
- Speaker Sir, I am pleased to announce that under Integrated Infrastructure Development Scheme, up-gradation of the Industrial Infrastructure at Ludhiana Phase-IV, Jalandhar (Old & Expansion), Bathinda (New) and Mandi Gobindgarh at an estimated cost of Rs. 22 crore has already started.
- Further, the Government also intends to take up the upgradation of the Infrastructure of Industrial Focal Points at Pathankot, Amritsar (New), Goindwal Sahib and Chanalon, Hoshiarpur, SBS Nagar, Batala, Kotkapura, Nabha (Old), Moga, Sangrur, Khanna &Derabassi at an estimated cost of Rs.131 crore.
INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDY/ INCENTIVES
- My Government has not only notified the guidelines for providing incentives to eligible industries which either got closed, sold, etc. under the various Industrial policies announced by the State in the years 1978, 1987, 1992, 1996 and 2003 but has also startedreleasing the incentive to them during2019-20 thereby providing the relief to the hassled industrialists all these years. We shall endeavour to cover the remaining industries during 2020-21.
SUBSIDISED POWER
- As a part of our strategic vision to revive the industrial sector in the State, we haveprovided subsidised power to the industrial sector resulting in an increase of 16.92% in industrial consumption over 2016-17. I propose to allocate Rs. 2267 crore during 2020-21 for providing industrial power subsidy.
TOURISM AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
- Our Government has initiated several measures to preserve the culture of Punjab and to promote tourism in a manner that it contributes to the generation of employment and economic growth. Various places of tourist interest, tourist destination and religious centres have been developed/are being developed to increase footfall. Important/major projects are proposed to be implemented under Swadesh Darshan Scheme with an allocation of Rs. 100 crore for the financial year 2020-21 and an amount of Rs.124 crore has been provided under the Asian Development Bank assisted IDIPT Project.To further boost tourism sector in the State, I propose an allocation of Rs. 447 crore during 2020-21 for this sector.
HERITAGE AND MILITARY LITERATURE FESTIVAL
- The Government has revived the Patiala Heritage Festival and the traditional bullock cart races at Kila Raipur Rural Sports and the Amritsar Sufi Festival at Qila Gobindgarhwas organised during the year. An allocation ofRs. 25 crore is proposed as grant-in-aid to Patiala Development Authority for creation of a Heritage Street in Patiala during 2020-21.
Mr. Speaker Sir,
- It was the vision of the eminent Military Historian and our Chief Minister Ji to organise the Military Literature Festival in 2017. Today, after 3 editions of the successful hosting of this festival, it finds a place on the calendar of the popular literary festivals of India. We will continue to support the hosting of this successful and popular event this year as well.
400th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF SRI GURU TEG BAHADUR JI
- Hon’ble Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh Ji has announced the Government’s decision to commemorate the 400th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji with year-long celebrations beginning from 12th April 2020. I propose an initialallocationof Rs. 25 crore for this purpose during 2020-21 and suitable allocations shall be provided as required.
- Further, to commemorate thecelebration of this auspicious occasion, a dedicated “Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Marg” i.e. a high speed4-laned 54.50 km long road from Sri Anandpur Sahib (Ropar) to Banga (SBS Nagar) shall be built as a Public Private Partnership Project under the supervision of the department ofPWD.
ESTABLISHMENT OF HARIKE WETLAND AND ECO-TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
- Eco-tourism holds great promise to attract tourists. The Government proposes to establish a Harike Wetland and Eco- Tourism Development Authority with all such provisions that may be necessary to provide for the fragile eco-system at Harike Wetland as also to promote eco-friendly tourism in this area. An initial outlay of Rs. 15 crore has been provided for this purpose in 2020-21.
CITIZENS WELFARE
SOCIAL JUSTICE, EMPOWERMENT & MINORITIES
- Our Government reiterates its strong commitment to uplift,protectand promote the interest of the under-privileged sections of our society. A totalallocation of Rs. 901 crore is proposed under various welfare schemes for educational, socio economic and other development programmes for upliftment of our deprived brethren during 2020-21. The State component, under the various schemes, has been increased by 18% over the 2019-20 (RE).
ASHIRWAD
Mr. Speaker Sir,
- I am happy to announce that the government has been able to pass benefits amounting to Rs. 302 crore under this scheme to 1.55 lakh beneficiaries since March 2017. I propose an allocation of Rs.165crore for providing financial assistance @Rs. 21,000 to SC/BC/Christian/Widows/Divorcee & Daughters of Widows of any caste at the time of their marriage.
PRADHAN MANTRI ADARSH GRAM YOJNA
- For upgradation of infrastructural facilities in SC concentrated villages and to provide the basic minimum services like education, health, water supply, sanitation, toilets, disposal of sludge water, etc. an outlay of Rs. 46 crore has been provided for in 2020-21.
- A special State sponsored scheme for upgrading the villages with more than 50% SC population is being launched. An initial allocation of Rs.10 crore has been provided for this scheme during 2020-21.
SOCIAL SECURITY & WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
- My Government has always accorded top priority to the welfare of elderly, widows, dependent children and disabled persons through increased monthly financial assistance of Rs. 750 per beneficiary. While the allocation for social assistance-pensions during 2016-17 was Rs. 1,100 crore(though the release was, as we all know, always erratic)with the coverage of19.08 lakh beneficiaries, the allocation for pensions has been Rs. 2165 crore with a coverage of 24 lakh beneficiaries directly into their accounts during 2019-20. I propose an allocation of Rs. 2388 crore with 31% increase over the 2019-20 (BE).
INTEGRATED CHILD DEVELOPMENT SCHEME
- For holistic development of the child, our government aims at nurturing children with full opportunities for growth and development in a safe and protective environment. Supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-ups, referral services and pre-school education have been provided under the “Integrated Child Development Scheme” to 8.46 lakh children and pregnant women & lactating mothers during 2019-20. An allocation of Rs. 65 crore has been provided for achieving improvement in nutritional status of children from 0-6 years, pregnant women & lactating mothers.
SETTING UP OF OLD AGE HOMES
- The State Government shall set up old age homes in every district for the welfare of senior citizens. An initial allocation of Rs. 5 crore is proposed for this purpose during 2020-21.
WELFARE OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
- The State Government aims at providing barrier free environment for persons with disabilities.Concessional fares travel facility is alreadybeing provided to blind/disabled persons in government buses. In addition, the Government has amended the Punjab Civil Service Rules to allow travelling allowance to the attendant/escort accompanying the persons with disabilities during travel, while on official tour/ training. Further, Financial assistance in the form of attendance scholarship for girl students and health insurance for mentally retarded is also being provided. We also propose to launch a state-wide scheme for socio-economic security of persons with disabilities and requisite financial support for this purpose will be provided during the year.
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
- Our Government is committed to uplift the social and educational status of women. Top-most priority of my government is empowerment of women to enable them to live with dignity and contribute as equal partners in development, in an environment free of violence and discrimination. A comprehensive women and girl child centric policy framework as a multi-pronged strategy would be created to focus not only on the safety, security and dignity of women of all age groups, but will also focus on their health, education, skill development, employability and the need for safe public spaces.
- Further, to promote gender equality, the State proposes to introduce Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) across all departments in the near future. We believe thatGender responsive budget policies would contribute in achieving the objectives of gender equality, human development and economic efficiency in the State.
KASTURBA GANDHI MAHILA YOJANA
- I propose a new scheme “Kasturba Gandhi Mahila Yojana” with the objective to converge the benefits under all existing women-centric government schemes being run by various departments of the State so as to boost the quality of life and ensure the security and dignity of woman and children in the public domain as well as within the home. It is an umbrella scheme to ensure 100% coverage under all existing schemesthrough sustained outreach activities. The goal would be to ensure that no eligible citizen is left out. An initial outlay for thestart of the scheme has been provided which will be suitably enhanced duringthe year.
MATA TRIPTA MAHILA YOJANA
- Furthermore, a new scheme, “Mata TriptaMahila Yojana” is proposed wherein new initiatives/programmes would be taken by the State to cover the aspects which have hitherto remained uncovered or were partially covered under any existing Centrally/State sponsored women/girl child-oriented schemes. This will also help the State in achieving gender equality in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thus reinforcing the Government’s commitment to women. An initial outlay for thestart of the scheme has been provided which will be suitably enhanced during the course of the year.
DEFENCE SERVICES
- The State Government is committed to ensure the welfare of ex-servicemen, war-widows, world war veterans, disabled soldiers & their dependents by providing benefits under various welfare schemes. For 2020-21, an outlay of 127 crore has been earmarked for Defence Services Welfarei.e. an increase of 29% over 2019-20 (BE).
- The Government has launched a unique initiative called “Guardians of Governance” wherein the services of ex-servicemen are being used to ensure effective implementation of government schemes at the grassroots. 4,300 Guardians have been appointed in all the Districts to ensure that the benefits reach the deserving in a non-partisan manner. An allocation of Rs. 60 crore is proposed under this scheme this year.
- A special Ex-servicemen Cell has also been established in the Chief Minister’s Office and the State has also released compensation to the widows of martyrs of the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars, a demand pending for past 42 years.
“Martyr dies only when forgotten,
A Nation dies when it forgets its Martyr”
- As a mark of respect and gratitude to our Martyrs and the ex-servicemen, my Government proposes to increase the monthly Financial Assistance paid to the widows and next of kin of posthumous Gallantry Awardees such as Param Veer Chakra,Ashok Chakra, Mahaveer Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Veer Chakra,Shaurya Chakra and other awardees at par with the assistance being paid to the widows and next of kin of Gallantry Awardees being awarded during their lifetime. I also propose to enhance the monthly financial assistance to the Ex-servicemen of the Pre- Independence era and their widows to Rs. 6,000 per month w.e.f. 01.04.2020.
LABOUR WELFARE
- Our Government is committed in ensuring the safety, health and welfare of workers of the Stateand the e-labour Punjab portal was adjudged the best e-Governance platform in the country. This portal hasalsobeen integrated with Shram Suvidha Portal of Government of India.
- Sir, My Government has decided to provide an assured monthly financial assistance of Rs 3,000 to all the construction workers in their old age as well as a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 to their spouses in line with the “ Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Man DhanYojna” ( PMSYM). The scheme will benefit 3.5 lakh construction workers families.
NRI AFFAIRS
- There is a large Punjabi Diaspora abroad which has made a mark for themselves and for their nation by sheer hard work and determination in their respective countries. There is immense contribution of NRIs in improving assets and infrastructure of their native villages and of the State in the form of remittances.
- The Government has launched a new program “Friends of Punjab” to seek participation of NRIs of Punjabi origin in development and growth of Punjab. These “Friends of Punjab” will cater to the requirements of the local community in rural and urban areas with active participation and support of the State Government.
- To encourage participation of NRIs in the development of Punjab and to re-establish their connection with their roots, my Government has launched ‘Connect with Your Roots’ programme. Three groups of youth from UK between the age-group of 16-22 years have already visited Punjab and had a first-hand assessment of how the State has grown in the last couple of years. These youths are now the brand ambassadors as large number of apprehensions and misconceptions in their minds stand cleared.
FOOD, CIVIL SUPPLIES AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
- The Government of Captain Amarinder Singh Ji is always well known for hassle free procurement and we have done this during the last six crops strictly adhering to the 48-hour deadline for lifting and timely payment to farmers for their crop.
- The State Government is committed to cater to the needs of economically weaker sections through Smart Ration Card Scheme. A total of 31,63,640 families out of 35,55,040 families (88.99%) were distributed wheat through 1,517 ePoS machines with 100% online transactions.
- I would like to bring to the notice of this august House that in order to provide better services to the consumers, our government has implemented single window system for installation of new Retail Outlets/ Petrol Pumps.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PANCHAYATS
- It has been the singular objective of this Government to improve the living conditions in rural Punjab. To further strengthen the existing and create new rural infrastructure,I propose an allocation of Rs. 3,830 crore for social and economic well-being of our rural populace during 2020-21.
SMART VILLAGE CAMPAIGN
- The Smart Village Campaign has been started in Punjab with the aim of improving conditions in rural areas by supplementing government schemes for building infrastructure and providing essential amenities in health, education and environment with convergence of MGNREGA. Under this Campaign, a Mobile application has been launched with an objective of putting information of development works being taken up in villages in the public domain, thus, serving as a vital tool for making citizens partners in governance and building their ‘Smart Village’.
- 18,570 works viz works like Renovation of Ponds, Street lights, Parks, Gymnasiums, Community Halls, Drinking Water Supply, Model Aanganwadi Centres, Smart Schools and Solid Waste Management, with an objective to provide enabling environments for making villages in Punjab self-sustaining have been sanctioned under the campaign during 2019-20. Out of these 4,768 works have been completed. We propose to carry out projects of approximately Rs. 3,000 Croreover a period of next two yearsand for the year 2020-21,aninitial allocation of Rs. 600crore is proposed to complete the targeted 20,440 works.The remaining funds as required shall be provided in due course.
- I also propose a special allocation of Rs. 5 crore for beautification, approach roads and surroundings of village Ballan, district Jalandhar.
MAHATAMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE SCHEME(MGNREGS)
Mr. Speaker Sir,
- I am pleased to inform the august house that during last two years (2017-19), 423 lakh man-days have been generated as against 301 lakh man-days during corresponding period (2015-17) of the previous government i.e. an increase of 40%. Further, works of Rs. 1,307 crore have been completed during 2017-19 as against Rs. 838 crore during 2015-17, i.e. an increase of 57%.Under MGNREGS, employment has been provided to 6.94 lakh households during the current year.A special campaign for plantation of trees in coordination with Forest Department during the 550th Birth celebration of Guru Nanak Dev ji has been undertaken and 76 lacs saplings have been planted in villages. I propose an allocation of Rs. 320 crore for implementation of this scheme with a target of generating 230 lakh man-days during this year.
MAHATMA GANDHI SARBAT VIKAS YOJANA (MGSVY)
- Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna (MGSVY) was formulated with the aim to transfer the vision of the overall development of the government into a reality and bring the benefits of socio-economic schemes to those in need. 37,32,819 applications have been received since the launch of the scheme, out of which 10,78,187 beneficiaries have been assisted till now.
NATIONAL RURAL LIVELIHOOD MISSION (NRLM) (AJEEVIKA)
- The National Rural Livelihoods Mission aims to strengthen and empower women of poor families by empowering them to create profitable self-employment, generate employment opportunities according to their Skill set, and ensure it to be sustainable.An outlay of 32 crore has been proposed for the year 2020-21 to achieve the target of forming 11,500 Self Help groups, 860 Village Organisations of 40 Cluster Level and a Revolving Fund to 6,900 Groups.
SHYAMA PRASAD MUKHERJI RURBAN MISSION
- Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission is an attempt to make our rural areas socially, economically and physically sustainable regions leading to balanced regional development in the State. Economic development enhances basic services and creates well planned Rurban clusters. Punjab has been allotted 8 clusters in 7 districts i.e. Bathinda (Jalal &Dhapali), Amritsar (Harsha Chinna), Ludhiana (Dhandra), Fatehgarh Sahib (Sanghol), Hoshiarpur (Sansarpur), Tarn Taran (Chohla Sahib) and Gurdaspur (Fatehgarh Churian). An outlay of 90 crore is being proposed for the year 2020-21 for this mission.
RASHTRIYA GRAM SWARAJ ABHIYAN (TRAINING)
- Under this scheme training is provided to elected representatives of Panchayati Raj. Till now 63,368 newly elected representatives of Panchayati Raj have been trained.
PARDHAN MANTRI AWAAS YOJANA
- Under this scheme, 24,000 beneficiaries were found eligible to be covered from Punjab and13,500 houses have already been constructed by December 2019. The Government intends to cover the remaining 10,500 houses during 2020-21. An outlay of 125 crore has been proposed for the year 2020-21.
PUNJAB PENDU AWAAS YOJNA
- Punjab PenduAwaasYojnashall beimplemented in the rural areas of the State with an aim to provide a grant to owners of ‘Kutcha Houses/Semi Pucca Houses’ for upgrading them into ‘Pucca Houses’. The Government intends to cover 10,000 beneficiaries whose semi pucca houses are not covered under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin. An outlay of 500 crore has been proposed for the year 2020-21in this regard.
SOCIAL SERVICES
SCHOOL EDUCATION
- Our government is fully committed to its responsibility towards millions of students for providing good educational environment and better teaching techniques for their bright and successful future. My Government is making concerted efforts to upgrade the infrastructure facilities in the government schools and enhance the quality of education and recruitment of teachers.
- Speaker Sir, as a result of our policies, for the first time in many years, the Government schools have outperformed the Private schools in Class 10th and Class 12th Board results i.e. for Class 10th and Class 12th the pass % in government schools was 88.21% and 88.14% as against 79.51% and 83.69% in private schools respectively. Further, under Padho Punjab Padhao Punjab project, the students achieved 79% of the prescribed learning level targets as against less than 30% in August 2017.
- Transparency and accountability are the touchstone of good governance. An Online Transfer Policy, 2019 was thus introduced in the Department of School Education with the objective of optimal distribution of human resources, protecting the academic interest of the students and maximise job satisfaction amongst employees in a fair and a transparent manner.
- Sir, for the promotion of School and Higher Education, an allocation of Rs. 12,488 crore which accounts for 8% of total expenditure has been provided for in the year 2020-21. It is 23% higher than the budgetary allocations for this sector in the year 2016-17.
CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL CLASSOOMS
- An allocation of Rs. 100 crore for construction of 4,150 additional classrooms has been proposed during the year 2020-21.
- I also propose a special allocation of Rs 3 crore for the construction of a new Government Senior Secondary School at Kidwai Nagar, district Ludhiana and Rs 5crore for the construction of a new block at Government Senior Secondary School in SBS Nagar.
REPAIR OF UNSAFE BUILDINGS
- The Department is making sincere effort for maintaining school buildings to provide healthy and safe environment to the students. All types of repair and maintenance works in schools are being done by the School Management Committee (SMC). Maintenance of 4,325 schools has been taken up during 2019-20, and more schools will be covered during next year. A budgetary provision of Rs.75 crore is proposed for the year 2020-21for this purpose.
SMART SCHOOLS AND DIGITAL EDUCATION
- More than 5,500 Primary, Middle and High schools have been transformed into smart schools with the help of CSR/ NGO’s/ NRI’s/ Charitable Institutions/ Individual Contributions, etc. The State Government also intends to install 10 KW Solar plants in 259 Government Senior Secondary Smart Schools in its first phase and in another 621 Senior Secondary schools in the second phase.
- Our Government endeavours to convert all the classrooms of the High Schools and Senior Secondary Schools into the Smart classrooms by providing Projectors and further strengthening the State objective of converting all schools into the Smart schools. The State has already notified the Smart School Policy andI propose an outlay of Rs. 100 crore this year for digital education.
SAFETY AND HYGIENE FOR GIRLS IN SCHOOLS
- In order to provide Karate Training to all girls in government schools, the State is training all female teachers below the age of 50 years through expert karate trainers. In the year 2019-20, 261 female teachers have already been trained and this program shall continue in 2020-21. Besides, sanitary napkins are being provided to the girls in government schools. An outlay of 13 crore has been proposed for the year 2020-21 for this purpose.
FREE TRANSPORT FACILITY TO STUDENTS
- My government has specifically focused on the primary education in the state following the motto of “Catch them Young”. In order to give a further impetus to primary education in the State and with a view to increase the outreach of the Primary schools, I propose an allocation of Rs. 10 crore in the year 2020- 21 for free transportation facility for the students.
INSTALLATION OF WATER HARVESTING SYSTEM IN ALL GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS
- While my Government is sensitive to the conservation of the precious water resources of the State, it is also striving for tapping all avenues for replenishing the underground water resources. Developing ‘Water Conservation Consciousness’, especially among the children, who are our future, is the need of the hour. With the aim to achieve the twin objectives of recharging the subsurface water and spreading awareness on water conservation amongst the youth, my Government proposes an allocation of Rs.25 crore for setting up Water Harvesting System in all the Government Senior Secondary Schools.
FREE EDUCATION UPTO 10+2
- Currently, the Government provides free education to all students upto 8th class and to girl students upto 10+2 class. As part of our endeavour to educate all our children, the Government of Capt. Amarinder Singh Ji has decided to grant free education in Government Schools to all students upto 10+2 class.
HIGHER EDUCATION
- The Government of Punjab is striving to improve the quality of higher education through dynamic demand-driven, quality conscious, efficient and forward looking higher educational institutions. The Government intends to continue this effort by providing improved infrastructure and better facilities in these institutions. The target is to achieve the Gross Enrolment ratio of 32 by the year 2022 which presently stands at 29.5 (year 2018-19) against the National Average of 25.8%.
RASHTRIYA UCHCHTAR SHIKSHA ABHIYAN
- RashtriyaUchchattar Shiksha Abhiyan aims at fulfilling the three cardinals of Higher Education namely quality, equity and access. Under the second phaseof this scheme, an amount of Rs.174 crore has been approved for rejuvenating higher education in the staate of Punjab, out of which Rs.150 crore have been sanctioned for boosting research activities in the two State Universities.
GOVERNMENT COLLEGES
- An allocation of Rs. 5 crore is proposed for the year 2020-21 for improvement of infrastructure in Historical Government Colleges of Hoshiarpur, Patiala, Sangrur, Kapurthala, Malerkotlaand Amritsar. Also, construction work of five New Degree colleges shall be started during 2020-21, an allocation of Rs. 25 crore has been proposed in this regard.
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW GIRLS HOSTEL
- I propose to support the efforts of Punjabi University, Patiala by providing an amount of Rs.15 crore for the construction of a new Girls Hostel during the year 2020-21.
UNIVERSITIES
- The State has released grants-in-aid amounting to Rs. 596.53 crore to different universities and colleges in the state like GNDU, Punjabi University, Punjab University, Chandigarh, PAU, Private Aided Colleges, Government Arts Colleges, Government Professional Colleges, Sanskrit Mahavidyala etc. during the year 2019-20. I continue to honour the promise of increased annual allocation to the Universities by 6%.
- My Government has established the Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University at Patiala and a new Sri Guru Teg Bahadur State Law University shall be set up in TarnTaran district. Suitable initial allocations have been made this year and funds as required shall be provided in due course.
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
- The State has an established base of 97 engineering colleges, 175 polytechnics and 377 ITI’s with a ready pool of technical Skilled resources apt in providing technical education, enhancing employability and entrepreneurship. “Skill” is accorded a high priority by the State as a key enabler in creating employment and enhancing investmentleading to growth and sustainable development.
- This year,19 Government ITIs and one Private ITI will be upgraded under Skill Strengthening for industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) scheme. Under this project, new short-term courses will be introduced as per demand of industry to enable the trainees for industrial employment and provide them with better employment opportunities. I propose an allocation of Rs.35 crore under this scheme for budget 2020-21.
- To keep abreast with latest technologies, government has decided to upgrade the infrastructure and machinery of all government Industrial Training Institutes. The State would also start at least one course especially for the disabled persons from the year 2020-21 in the ITIs covering all the districts with an initial outlay of Rs. 60 crore.
- The State Government has implemented Dual System of Training (DST) in 35 Government Industrial Training Institutes in different trades of 55 units during 2019-20 and intends to cover all the Industrial Training Institutes during 2020-21 for enabling the trainees to obtain latest training in the industry. 645 trainees are getting on-the-job training at reputed industries like Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter Private Limited.
- I would also like to inform the august housethat the Government proposes to establish 19 new Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) with an initial outlay of Rs.75 crore in 2020-21. The process of acquisition of land has been completed in the districts ofFatehgarh Sahib (Bhagdana), Ferozepur (Tibbikalan), Mansa (Dhaipi), SAS Nagar (Tripari), SBS Nagar (Sahiba), Ropar (Rasoolpura), TarnTaran(Mananke) and Gurdaspur (Cheema Khudi) and process of transfer of land is in progress in the remaining districts of Amritsar (Ram Tirath), Bathinda (Mehraj), Ludhiana (Raikot, Macchiwara and Laddowal), Patiala(Ghanuar and Patran), Jalandhar (Lohian), Gurdaspur (Dinanagar), Ropar (Kiratpur Sahib) and Fatehgarh Sahib (Amloh).
- Further, I would also like to propose an allocation of Rs. 41 crore for upgradation of infrastructure of government polytechnics at Batala, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, GTB Garh (Moga) and Patiala during the current year.
- A pilot project for setting up of finishing schools providing training of soft skills, communication skills etc to enhance employability of the students is proposed at one Government Polytechnic in 2020-21 for which suitable allocation has been provided.
HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Mr Speaker Sir,
- “A healthy mind resides in a healthy body”. Our Government is committed to provide affordable quality health services to its entire population. Sir, I propose to allocate Rs. 3778 crore which is 15% higher for Health and Family Welfare in 2020-21 against 2019-20 (RE).
AYUSHMAN BHARAT- SARBAT SEHAT BIMA YOJNA (AB-SSBY)
- This scheme was launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister Ji on 20th August 2019 and more than 39.41 lakh e-Cards have been generated to extend the benefits of this ambitious health insurance scheme to the beneficiaries. Till now, 1,27,619 patients have been treated at a cost of Rs. 146.16 crore. For this purpose, I propose an amount of Rs. 221 crore in the budget 2020-21.
MUKH MANTRI PUNJAB HEPATITIS-C RELIEF FUND
- It is matter of great satisfaction to announce that the efforts taken by the State in giving free treatment of Hepatitis-C under Mukh MantriPunjab Hepatitis-C Relief Fund scheme has been well appreciated by Government of India, WHO and other International experts and has been replicated in the entire country as National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP). Free drugs amounting to Rs. 73 crore have been provided to the Hepatitis-C patients.
INTENSIVE CARE UNITS (ICUs)
- My Government would set-up ICUs in all the district hospitals of the State at a cost of Rs. 15 crore this year.These ICUs will provide essential healthcare facilities to critical patients of trauma and other ailments.
- The Government proposes to set up in PPP mode, diagnostic services such as CT Scan and Ultrasound Machine in all the District Hospitals and MRI and Cath Lab in some District Hospitals. The diagnostic facilities will be made available at reasonable rates to the citizens at large. We expect to bring an investment of Rs. 200 crore from the private players in the health sector
TANDRUST PUNJAB SEHAT KENDRAS
- Our government intends to up-grade all 2950 sub-centres as Tandrust Punjab Sehat Kendras by 2022. 1372 Health and Wellness Centres have been operationalized in the state and 35,62,492 patients have availed OPD services at newly established HWCs from February 2019 to January 2020. By March 2020, 800 more institutions will be made functional as Tandrust Punjab Sehat Kendras and 1600 more sub-centres will be made operational as HWCs. Further, 27 medicines and 6 diagnostics tests would be available at HWCs.
REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED TO HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
- Speaker Sir, we are all aware that while creating physical infrastructure is the easy part, maintenance of the same is always a challenge. Many of my honourable colleagues have brought to my notice the problem of maintaining health infrastructure. While separate outlays have already been provided for maintenance of Schools, I propose a special allocation of Rs. 50 crore during the year 2020-21 for upgradation, repair and maintenance of infrastructure related to health care facilities i.e. Sub Centres, Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs).
MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH
- Infant Mortality Rate of the State has declined from 44 (2005) to 21 as per SRS report of 2017 and Maternal Mortality Ratio is 122 per 1 lakh live births. 6 new MCH wings are being constructed at a cost of Rs. 38 crore at sub-divisional hospitals of Kharar, Phagwara, Jagraon, Budhladha, Malout and Giddarbaha.
RASHTRIYA BAL SWASTHYA KARYAKARAM
- Under this scheme, all children of 0-18 years of age in government & government aided schools and anganwadi centres are screened for early identification and early intervention by mobile health teams for 31 diseases, deformities and developmental defects. I propose a special allocation of Rs. 45 crore under NHM for the RBSK scheme during 2020-21.
INTEGRATED AYUSH HOSPITALS
- Sir, construction of two 50-bedded integrated AYUSH hospitals at Zirakpur and Moga has started and all AYUSH services shall be provided there. Besides, De-addiction centre at Government Ayurvedic Hospital, Amritsar has been established to provide de-addiction therapy through Ayurveda. One Thalassemia centre to provide Ayurvedic therapy to thalassemia patients is intended to be established at Government Ayurvedic Hospital, Model Gram at Ludhiana.
MEDICAL HEALTH AND EDUCATION
- Speaker Sir, while it is easy to build hospitals and Primary Health Centres, the bigger challenge is to find Doctors and the supporting staff to run them. For far too long, we have failed to set up a new Government Medical College in the State. It is only now with the rigorous efforts of this Government, that a new medical college will be started at Mohali (SAS Nagar) and teaching will commence w.e.f.session 2020-21.This year, I propose Rs. 157 crore for its establishment and construction activities. In addition, an initial allocation of Rs. 10 crore each is proposed for establishment of new Medical Colleges at Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur respectively for which requisite approvals have already been received. These colleges are proposed to commence the teaching sessions w.e.f. 2021-22 and 2022-23 respectively.An allocation of Rs. 897 crore i.e. an increase of 49% over 2019-20 (RE) is proposed during 2020-21.
- The State shall soon commence establishment of the SatelliteCentre of PGI at Ferozepur and Rs. 224 crore is proposed for undertaking upgradation of the existing Medical Colleges at Patiala, Amritsar and Faridkot in the year2020-21.
- The work for establishment of a Tertiary Cancer Care Centre in Fazilka and a State Cancer Institute in Amritsar has started at a cost of Rs. 12.34 crore and Rs. 26.32 crore respectively andwill be completed during 2020-21. An allocation of Rs. 72 crore has been provided for this purpose during 2020-21.
INFRASTRUCTRE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
- The Government aims to ensure holistic development of cities of Punjab by creating productive, equitable, sustainable, vibrant and responsive cities offering all basic amenities of life to its residents. Our endeavour is to improve the quality life of people by providing basic services such as water supply and sanitation, roads and drains, streetlights, collection of solid waste, urban transport and green parks and affordable housing for the poor.
- The Government has already established a separate Directorate of Fire Services to regulate and control 34 offices of Fire Brigades already established in 10 Municipal Corporation towns and 155 other ULBs across the State.
SWACHH BHARAT MISSION
- Swachh Bharat Mission, a flagship sanitation programme focuses on an Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and scientific Solid Waste Management (SWM). To tackle the problem of Solid Waste Management in our urban areas, a decentralised model comprising segregation at the source, door to door collection of segregated waste, composting and material recovery is being implemented in all local bodies. Presently door to door collection of waste is being undertaken in 95% households and segregation of waste is being done in 60% households in the state and remaining are under progress.While Bathinda, Patiala and Jalandhar have already been declared ODF++ cities, and Ludhiana ODF+, the target is attainment of ODF+and ODF++status by all the ULBs. 103 crore is being proposed for Swachh BharatMission in 2020-21 and with the support of ULBs,we aim to make all cities of the State garbage free this year.
AMRUT
- Sir, I am pleased to state that Punjab has emerged as one of the front runners in implementation of reforms under the AMRUT mission. We have carriedout reforms with regard to Constitution and professionalization of Municipal cadre; Urban Planning and City Level plans- Green Action Plans; Devolution of funds and functions; setting-up of financial intermediary at State level Municipal Tax and Fees Improvement; Credit Rating; Energy and Water Audit.
- My Government would continue its support for the Scheme of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). I propose a budgetary provision of 700 crore for this purpose this year.
SMART CITIES
- Cities of Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar are being developed as smart cities under Smart Cities Mission (SCM) with the objective of providing core infrastructure and quality life to its citizens. Under this mission, total works amounting to Rs. 532 crore are in progress. Further, works amounting to Rs. 1248 crore have been tendered. I propose a budgetary provision of Rs. 810 crore in this regard for 2020-21.
- With special emphasis on meeting the challenges of bad ambient, air quality, ground water depletion and sanitation, I propose an allocation of Rs. 104 crore and Rs. 76 crore for the Million-plus population cities of Ludhiana and Amritsar respectively.
- A suitable allocation shall also be provided to the Cantonment Boards of Amritsar, Ferozepur and Jalandhar as has been recommended by the 15th Finance Commission for the year 2020-21.
REJUVENATION OF BUDDHA NALLAH, LUDHIANA& BADI AND CHOTTI NADI, PATIALA
- The Government will undertake rejuvenation of Buddha Nallah in Ludhiana ina phased manner whereby in the first phase augmentation and refurbishment of sewage treatment facility shall be undertaken at a cost Rs.650 crore. Also, rejuvenation of Badi and ChottiNadi in Patiala including area development along the banks shall be undertaken in the year 2020-21. An outlay of Rs. 60 crore has been provided for this purpose in 2020-21.
PUNJAB URBAN ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME (PUEIP)
- This program has been initiated with an aim to improve the Environment & Infrastructure Development in all 167 ULBs of Punjab.The works relate to construction/maintenance of roads, streets and drains, streetlights, garbage disposal and parks etc. and work is in progress. While we intend to spend almost Rs. 1046 crore over the next two years, this year we shall be spending approx. Rs. 500 crore under this program.
MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT FUND (MDF)
- The State Government has been providing assistance to the urban local bodies under Municipal Development Fund (MDF) for Infrastructure Development in urban towns. A provision of 100 crore for 2020-21 has been provided for setting up of STPs in small urban towns under this fund.
PRADHAN MANTRI AWAS YOJNA (URBAN)
- My Government has targeted to provide assistance for 1.5 lakh houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Housing for All (Urban) to address the housing requirement of urban poor, including, slum-dwellers.A provision of 249 crore has been proposed for this programme in 2020-21.
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
- State Government envisages a planned development of its Urban Estates. The overarching goal is to provide world class infrastructure alongwith regulating the development and use of land. The State intends to provide 5000 EWS Houses to Urban Poor in Phase-1 during the year 2020-21 in important towns of the State under Affordable Housing component of Pradhan Mantri AwasYojna (PMAY).
- The State Government has notified an Affordable Colony Policy, 2018 to facilitate housing for lower income groups; so far 11 licenses have been granted to establish such colonies in Jalandhar and Ludhiana.A policy for regularisation of unauthorised colonies developed before 19th March 2018 has also been notified.
- The State Government has established a Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) and the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal to protect the Interest of homebuyers. Further, a single window clearance system called “Build Punjab” has been established for time-bound speedier approval of real estate projects
DIGITIZATION OF MASTER PLANS
- Sir, the State of Punjab has become a pioneer in the country in uploading of revenue-based Master Plans and my Government is working towards making all master plans revenue-based as also to make them available online. 43 Master Plans covering 71 (of 168) towns have been notified and 29 Master Plans are under preparation and 22 Master Plans that are GIS revenue-based have been uploaded on the website.
- While infrastructure development within Municipal areas is the responsibility of the elected local bodies, development of urban infrastructure outside these limit rests with the various Urban Development Authorities. The various development authorities of the State, viz., GMADA, GLADA, BDA, PDA, ADA, JDA will undertake urban infrastructure development works amounting to aprrox. Rs. 877 crore during 2020-21 for planned development of our expanding urban cities.
POWER
- I would like to inform this august House that the State of Punjab has surpassed its own record of highest ever energy supplied during a day with supply of as high as 2,999 LUs of energy in 2019. For the first-time in many years, PSPCL has posted a profit of Rs. 80 crore in 2018-19. Further, as a result of strict vigilance, the AT&C Losses have reduced from 14.46% in 2016-17 to 12.04% in 2018-19.
FREE POWER TO DOMESTIC CONSUMERS
- Our Government has been providing subsidised power for Domestic SC, BC, Non-SC BPL, and Freedom Fighters consumers. A total allocation of Rs. 1,705 crore is being proposed during 2020-21.
QUALITY AND ASSURED POWER
- The State Government is committed to provide quality and assured power to its citizens through a robust Transmission and Distribution Network. A state-wide 400 KV Ring Main Transmission System connected with the National Grid that provides supply to 220/132 KV system to the State directly has already been set up. We have also planned for 400 KV works at Ropar, Dhanansu, Rajpura, Balachak and Nakodar with an objective to meet the high paddy demand of 14800 MW in 2022.
- During the year 2020-21, 13 New Substations with 222.5 MVA capacity and 46 new 66 KV lines are planned to be added with length of 368.90 circuit KM. Further, augmentation of 35 substations, which will add 325.5 MVA to the system and augmentation of 34 no. 66 KV lines of 502.16 circuit KM are also planned.
- We propose tostrengthen the distribution network of 47 towns having population 30,000 & above under Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme (APDRP) schemes as also the strengthening of distribution system in rural areas/suburban areas at a cost of Rs. 252.06 crores under DDUGJY scheme.
- My Government has taken a new initiative to install smart meters on all connections with load of 20 kW and above in the first phase. Our Government has also started a Pilot project to link all services to 1,912 call centres in 5 sub-divisions to facilitate consumers visiting sub-divisional offices for all types of services. All Central Stores/Transformer Repair Yard (TRY) and sub-stores of PSPCL have been made online in order to bring transparency and optimization of manpower.
CIVIL AVIATION
Mr. Speaker Sir,
- The Government of Punjab has successfully implemented the regional connectivity scheme The State has one of the highest density of airports in the country and the State contributes 20% of Viability Gap Funding for the RCS flights under this scheme. The airports of Bathinda, Ludhiana, Pathankot and Adampur are now receiving and operating regular flights under this scheme.
- The State Government has established the Punjab State Aeronautical College, Patiala as a constituent college of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda and classes have already started.
- Our Government intends to develop a “Centre of Excellence” through a Technical Hub for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) set up for electrical and mechanical aggregates of civil and military aircraft, engine– aircraft/engine components & avionic components at Patiala Aviation Complex (PAC).
- Efforts are also being made to expand facilities of Air-Cargo to give a boost to industry and provide better access to international/domestic markets. Soon, Air Cargo facilities will start at both International Airports of Chandigarh and Amritsar.
ROADS & BRIDGES
- Speaker Sir, when you build a road, you are doing more than just building a road- you are building the future development of the area. The allocation for construction and maintenance of new roads, bridges and building for this year has been raised from Rs. 1,352 crore in 2019-20 (RE) to Rs. 2,276 crore. I have earmarked an allocation of Rs.380 crore for upgradation, construction & repair of Roads & Bridges in the year 2020-21 benefiting 405 km of road length in the State.Work for upgradation of Parkash Purb Marg from Beas to Baba Bakala, Batala and Dera Baba Nanak will be started in 2020-21. Also, Rs.55 crore has been kept for construction of ROBs/RUBs at Bathinda, Pathankot and Ahmedgarh. Further, Rs.100 crore has been kept for upgradation of 71 rural roads and 4 bridges with the assistance of NABARD.
- Also, at a cost of Rs. 4,166 crore, 160 kms of 172 kms of 4-lanning of National Highways (NHs) has been completed; and upgradation of 5 NHs of 234 kms and 8 ROBs are in progress at an estimated of Rs. 2,147 crore.
- In addition to the above, work has been initiated for upgradation and strengthening of 71 roads and 6 bridges projects costing Rs. 66 crore; DPR preparation has been completed on the approved 20 ROBs/RUBs/HLBs at a cost of Rs. 734 crore and 16 new works on National Highways have been approved at an estimated cost of Rs. 436 crore. The major roads to be upgraded during the year 2020-21 are Faridkot-Ferozepur road; Gurdaspur-Kahnuwan-Sri HargobindPur road; Phillaur-Rahon Road; Chandigarh-Landran-Chunni-Sirhind-Patiala Road, Amritsar- Fatehgarh Churian- Dera Baba Nanak road etc.
- The Government will undertake an iconic project of constructing an Elevated Track at Pathankot that will eliminate 9 railway crossings and thereby will help in decongesting the city.I also propose for construction of bridge from village Noor Mahal- Dhagara, Jalandhar to village Bhundri, Ludhiana and a bye-pass at Jandiala Guru, Amritsar. The widening of the Morinda- Chamkaur Sahib Bela paniyali road alongwith construction of bridge at Bela over River Satluj will also be undertaken during2020-21.A suitable allocation has also been provided for construction and upgradation of the erstwhile Emperor Bridge at Hussainiwala, Ferozepur this year. Also, keeping in view the religious importance of Fatehgarh Sahib, a bye pass with an offtake from Sirhind to BassiPathanais proposed to be constructed in 2020-21.
LINK ROADS AND CULVERTS
- My Government has spent Rs. 3,227 crore for the repair of 28,765 km of Link roads out of which 20,934 km of link roads stands repaired whereas the repair work on the remaining 7,831 km will be completed by 30.6.2020. Further, 960 culverts on these roads have also been repaired at a cost of Rs. 215 crore and another 6,162 km will be repaired at a cost of Rs. 834 Crore during 2020-21. We are also exploring the options of constructing new link roads in the villages which do not have such roads presently.
- Major push has been planned for up gradation of 3,300 Km of roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-III with an estimated cost of Rs. 2,500 crore during the next 4 years.An allocation of Rs. 250 crore has been proposed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-III to upgrade works at 750 Km. of Road length. Under Central Road Fund Scheme, a provision of Rs. 350 crore has been kept for different works benefiting 300 km of Roads. The State shall also convert the phirnis in pucca roads for which a special project of Rs. 200 crore will be undertaken during 2020-21.
- Sir, Linking Patti with Makhu& Ferozepur has been a long pending demand of the people of this area.For the purpose of land acquisition for Patti Makhu Rail Link, I propose an allocation of Rs. 50 crore this year. The Link would be built by the Ministry of Railways.
- Also, during 2020-21, Rs. 35 crore has been allocated for land acquisition and construction of ROBs /RUBs for the Dedicated Freight Corridor Rail Line from Rajpura to Ludhiana which will spur economic activity in the region.
MAINTAINING INFRASTRUCTURE
- As assured, the Government has already spent Rs. 30 crore on repair and maintenance of the government residences and buildings in 2019-20. Further, to keep this cycle running, I propose an allocation of Rs.60 crore for repair and maintenance of government residences and buildings in the year 2020-21,which includes a special allocation of Rs. 23 crore for repair of houses occupied by Group C & D employees.
TRANSPORT
- Urbanisation has increased not only the density of population in the urban areas but also the traffic congestion. The need of the hour is to provide adequate public transport facilities to the citizens. Two bus stands at Sirhind and Sultanpur Lodhi equipped with Ultra-Modern Facilities have already been constructed and a new bus stand equipped with all modern facilities is proposed to be constructed at Patiala.
- An online registration of vehicles and issuance of driving licenses-VAHAN 4.0 and SARTHI 4.0 have been implemented throughout the State and all payments i.e. collection of taxes, fees and other payments have been made online. Also, Electronic Ticket Machines have been provided to all the buses of PRTC.
- To increase the operational efficiency, enhance reliability and ensure safety of women, all Government and private buses would be fixed with Vehicles Tracking System/Passenger Information System (VTS/PIS).
BORDER AND KANDI AREA DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Mr. Speaker Sir,
- I am happy to state that my Government has fulfilled one more of its promise i.e. for ensuring the development and progress of the Border and Kandi areas and provide them with the same facilities available in other parts of the State, the ‘Border and Kandi Area Development Board’ has been constituted under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Chief Minister, Punjab. The Board would play an important role in formulation of the schemes for development of these areas and will also undertake the area planning in order to ensure integrated and all-around development of these areas. I propose Rs. 100 crore for Border Area Development and Rs. 100 crore for Kandi Area Development for the year 2020-21.
BORDER AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
- Border Area Development Programme is a major intervention for meeting the special development needs and well-being of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the International Border. To facilitate the border villages with essential infrastructure in key sectors like Health, Education, Infrastructure and Social Security etc, a budgetary provision of Rs.100 crore is proposed for this programme for the year 2020-21.
WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION
- The major thrust of my Government is to improve the quality of drinking water. We aim to ensure 100% coverage of rural households with individual household connections from potable piped water supply schemes and so far 99.98% of 12,284 main habitations have been covered in the State. In all 99.99% of rural population has thus been covered with supplies of potable drinking water, whereas 63.21% rural households have been provided with individual household water connections. An allocation of Rs. 2,029 crore has been provided under Water Supply and Sanitation during 2020-21 an increase of 128% over 2019-20 (RE).
- For augmentation of existing water supply schemes, the Government during 2020-21 intends to cover 600 habitations (Slipped Back 350 + Quality affected 250) with an estimated expenditure of Rs. 886 crore.
- The State Government has so far installed 2327 Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems in rural areas. A project costing Rs.229 crore is being executed to provide safe drinking water through canal-based water supply schemes in 85 uranium and other heavy metals affected villages of district Moga, 87% of the work at a cost of Rs. 165 crore has been completed and the scheme shall be commissioned in April 2020.
- Under National Water Quality Sub mission programme, 777 Arsenic and Fluoride affected habitations will be covered for providing long term sustainable measures. 10 projects costing Rs.1032 crore have been approved for providing safe drinking water through surface-based water supply schemes in 1021 Arsenic/Fluoride affected and en-route habitations of District Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, Amritsar & Tarn Taran.
- Further, to provide sufficient quantity and good quality water, surface water supply projects would be undertaken in the rural villages of the district of Sangrur, suffering from water quality problems due to heavy metals, TDS, fluoride, etc. during the course of the year for which suitable allocation shall be provided as required.
- A special emphasis on the repair and maintenance of water supply schemes in the Kandi areas is being given. Currently, works on 74 schemes ata cost of Rs. 10.46 crore covering 211 habitations is underway. The Governmentshall continue with repair and maintenance of all water supply schemes including the schemes in the Kandi area in the year 2020-21. An allocation ofRs. 30 crore is proposed for this purpose in 2020-21.Further, a special allocation of Rs. 8 crore is proposed for undertaking maintenance of water supply in the Faridkot city.
- Under the rural sanitation program 100% rural households have already been provided access to individual household latrine facility thus making entire state (Rural Areas) Open Defecation Free. This status has been achieved in March 2018 against national Target of October 2019. The State has completed second level verification of ODF villages, and the Government is making conscious efforts to sustain Open Defecation Free Status. Also, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI’s) have been actively involved to ensure 100% construction of IHHL in rural households for making villages Open Defecation Free in a time bound manner.
- A High-Tech Multi District Lab in Amritsar at a cost of Rs. 6 crore is under construction and four multi -district water testing labs are proposed to be set up at Hoshiarpur, Moga, Sangrur and SAS Nagarat the cost of Rs.3.50 crore.
WATER RESOURCES
- Water is increasingly becoming the most scarce and precious resource and utmost attention needs to be paid to the challenges of managing the water resources in a manner that enables the finite water resources to meet the demands of rapid growth. My Government is deeply concerned about the depleting groundwater and is taking measures to ensure better management, conservation and saving of the scarce water resources of the State.The State Government has enacted the Punjab Water Resources (Management and Regulation), Act for ensuring the judicious, equitable and sustainable utilisation and management of the state’s critical water resources.
- The State’s canal irrigation infrastructure comprises a network of 14,500 km length irrigating an area of 29.96 lacs hectare. The relining of 18 km Sirhind feeder has been completed at a cost of Rs. 100 crore. The relining of 30 km Rajasthan feeder and 10 km Sirhind feeder at a cost of 300 crore and Rs. 50 crore shall be taken up during 2020-21.
- Due to heavy floods in river Sutlej in August 2019, Dhussi Bandhs had breached at more than 30 places which were plugged at war footing amounting to 14.92 crore. Also, during 550th celebrations, Rs. 11 crore were spent for executing works of lining, fencing and strengthening of Kali/Holy Bein. A provision of Rs. 100 crore has been madefor cleaning of drains, flood protection works and water logging works during 2020-21.
- During current year 2019-20, Kotla-II project has been approved at cost of 477.19 crore for lining of 4,280 km water courses with which the total covered area shall be 1,42,658 Hectare of the districts of Barnala, Mansa, Bathinda and Sangrur.
- During 2019-20, the State has started the work of installation and re-energization of 72 number alternate deep tube-wells in the district Hoshiarpur, SBS Nagar, Roopnagar and SAS Nagar at a cost of 53 crore and will help in irrigating 3,600 hectare area of barren land.
- The Government will undertake the expansion of the project of installing deep tube-wells in the Kandi Area at a cost of Rs. 175 crore. Under this project, 443 deep tube wells shall be installed covering an area of 46,448 acre lands in18 blocks of Anandpur Sahib, Balalchaour, Bhunga, Dasuya, Dharkalan, Garshankar, Hoshiarpur and others. The project will provide assured irrigation to 8,860 households. I propose an initial allocation of Rs. 79 crore in 2020-21 for this purpose.
- Further, suitable allocations have been made for this year to undertake 2 pilot projects for installation of community based solar/ grid power micro irrigation systems on Bathinda branch and Bhakhramain-line. Also, requisite provisions have been made for rehabilitation, reconstruction and modernisation of minors for6 Canal Projects at Khem Karan, Lahore branch (Gurdaspur and Amritsar), Sukhchain and Ramsara Minor (Fazilka)and construction of Rana Link Channel of Nizamwaha distributary (Fazilka) and construction of Chuck Sohelewala (Fazilka).
FORESTRY & WILDLIFE
- It is our solemn duty to leave the mother “Earth” greener and safer for the coming generations and to achieve this objective, the State Government intends to increase forest and tree cover from 6.8% to 7.5% by 2030. The Government through various measures has increased the Forest Cover by 11,363 hectares since April 2017 and also has removed illegal encroachments from more than 6,000 hectares of Forest Land.
- Speaker Sir, under the Ghar-GharHaryali scheme launched during 2018-19, so far, around 97 lac tree saplings have been supplied free of cost to various institutes and public. An amount of Rs. 180 crore has also been allocated for PUNCAMPA funds for raising 57 lac plants during 2020-21. Also, Rs. 6 crore has been proposed for management and development of wildlife in the State.
- The Government also proposes to undertake plantation on 8,000 hectare area under Green Punjab Mission & PUNCAMPA and plantation of another 50 lac plants by farmers under “Sub Mission on Agro-Forestry”.
- To promote Chhatbir Zoo, Zirakpur as a key tourist destination,I propose a special allocation of Rs. 10 croreforundertaking infrastructural development activities such as underground water pipes, electrical cables and sewerage network systems, etc.in the year 2020-21.
FREEDOM FIGHTERS
- The State Government is providing pension of Rs. 7,500/- per month to the freedom fighters and their eligible family members under the SwatantartaSainikSanman Pension Scheme and has extended the free power upto300 units with a sanctioned load up to 1 Kilo Watt to the domestic category electricity connections.
- My Government has notified a policy for providing one out-of-turn tube-well connection for a family of freedom fighter also has increased the reservation from 2% to 3% in house allotments by PUDA, GMADA and has also exempted freedom fighters from paying toll tax on the State Highways.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
- My Government has established a separate Directorate of Environment and Climate Change to check the menace of pollution, including that from stubble burning. Further, the State Food Safety Laboratory has also been upgraded with modern and high-quality testing equipment at a cost of Rs. 15 crore.
- For judicious disposal of plastic and electronic waste, 340 km of roads has been re-carpeted with the use of multi-layered plastic and 135.52 MT of e-waste was collected and scientifically managed by authorised e-waste facilities.
- The Government has also organised campaigns under Tandrust Punjab Mission against sub-standard food items i.e. against adulterated milk; fruit ripened with calcium carbide, etc. Further, 10 Mobile food testing vans for on-the-spot testing of milk and milk products and 2 Mobile food testing vans for checking of other food items have been provided.
- The Government has prepared a comprehensive action plan for the rivers Ghaggar, Beas and Sutlej to ensure quality of water by 2021. There have been marked improvement in the working of Sewage Treatment Plants and Effluent Treatment Plants. Out of the 3 Common Effluents Treatment Plants for dyeing industry, a 15 MLD CETP on Bahadur-Ke Road has been completed and the remaining two shall be completed by March 2020 and June 2020.
- City Specific Action Plans have been prepared to bring air quality within the prescribed norms for nine non-attainment cities namely Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala, Khanna, Gobindgarh, Derabassi, Naya Nangal and Dera Baba Nanak. The Government shall also take initiatives of converting the brick kilns from old technology to new zig-zag technology; industrial furnaces to side-hood suction and conversion of CNG/PNG from coal and other conventional fuels.
- In 2020-21, Pushpa Gujral Science City will open an Innovation Hub that shall provide a platform to the students and general public to develop their problem-solving skills and give shape to innovative ideas.
- The State Government has set-up a Punjab Biotechnology Incubator – a component of Knowledge City, Mohali (SAS Nagar) to provide hi-end world class internationally accredited analytical services to Agri, Food, Water, Environment and Allied Sectors. Presently, more than 1500 stakeholders are using the services.
NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
- My Government is committed to increasing the production of energy from Renewable Energy Sources. A major thrust is being given to Generation of energy from installation of Photovoltaic Roof Top solar plants, Canal Top Solar Plants, Ground Mounted solar plants, Solar Biomass hybrid plants and through other innovative Renewable Energy Technologies. The total cumulative installed capacity of renewable energy projects in the state is 1616 MW. During 2020-21 another 300 MW capacity of various renewable energy projects are planned to be installed.
- In the year 2019-20, 3000 solar water pumps, roof top solar projects of 41 MW capacity 3000 solar water pumps have been installed under the net metering scheme to make consumers of electricity, producers of energy as well. Also, 86,792 SPV streetlights have been installed in the villages of the State aimed at enhancing security and quality of life of the residents in the villages.
- A special scheme to install solar streetlights with an objective to enhance safety and security of our villages will be undertaken this year. I propose an allocation of Rs. 10 crore for this purpose.
- Presently, 10 Biomass power projects of 73.50 MW and 2 paddy straw-based biomass power projects of 36 MW have been operationalised to utilize about 1.10 million tons of paddy straw per annum. Further, Biomass/Bagasse based co-generation projects of 437 MW are also in operation. With focus on biomass power, cogeneration, Bio-methanation and innovative technologies for production ofBio-ethanol and Bio-CNG for handling paddy straw with Private investment is being facilitated in the coming years.
HOME AFFAIRS AND JUSTICE
- The State Government has established the state-level Centralised Call taking Centre (CCTC) in Mohali (SAS Nagar) with 48 workstations facility and 26 District Co-ordination Centres. Crime Control Tracking Network System is being upgraded for registration of “Zero” FIR whereby FIR can be registered in any Police Station irrespective of jurisdiction and can be transferred later.
- The Government, as per its commitment has also launched the Dial 112 project which is now functional in the entire State of Punjab.
FORENSIC SCIENCE LAB & CHEMICAL EXAMINER LAB
- The State Government Forensic Science Lab is being upgraded at a cost of Rs. 5.50 crore with highly advanced equipment and in order to improve the efficiency of CEL in achieving the desired accuracy and speed of analysis of viscera samples, modern and advanced technical equipment are being procured. Two more Chemical Examiner Laboratory (CEL) at Jalandhar and Barnala would be set up in 2020-21.
MODERNISATION OF POLICE FORCES
- The priority of the Government is to modernize the police force to effectively tackle the new emerging challenges. An amount of Rs.132 crore has been provided under different schemes for strengthening the law and order machinery during 2020-21.
IMPROVEMENT OF HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE IN PRISONS
- To improve the health services in prisons, the Government shall construct a new Hospital at Central Jail Hoshiarpur and Drug De-addiction Centres would be set up in 5 Jails of the State.
ENHANCEMENT OF PRISON SECURITY AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS
- For the enhancement of Prison Security and Surveillance Systems, Jammers, Body Scanners, Non Linear Junction Detectors, Anti-Riots Kits, Live wire fencing, Bollard Boom Barrier/Tyre Busters, Artificial Intelligence Enabled CCTV System for early warning and instruction detection will be provided during 2020-21 with an initial outlay of Rs. 25 crore.
REVENUE
- Punjab is the first state in the country to launch and complete the roll-out of National Generic Document Register System (NGDRS) for online registration of documents in all the Sub-Registrar and Joint-Sub-Registrar offices in the State and about 6.20 lakh documents have been registered during 2019-20. We have also been successful in introducing the online Revenue Court Management System (RCMC) in 368 Revenue Courts of the State.
- The State Government has also started a pilot-project in 5 districts-Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala and SAS Nagar to shift the demarcation of land to Electronic Total Station from traditional Jarib System. Besides, the work of setting up of modern record rooms is near completion.
GOVERNANCE REFORMS
E-GOVERNANCE PROJECT
- Our Government has launched the e-Governance Project in 135 ULBs to provide services like water and sewerage management, property tax, trade license, Public Grievances’ Redressal, Fire Services, Miscellaneous Receipts, Building Plan Management etc. which shall help in improving the Ease of living in the State. Further, with the objective to go paperless and build eco-friendly environment, e-office has been implemented in all the Administrative Departments and D.C. offices.
DIGITAL PUNJAB
- The State Government intends to implement Punjab Enterprise Architecture under Digital PunjabprogrammeacrossallAdministrative Departments. Further, Digi Locker is also being implemented in State to deliver all documents (certificates, licenses etc) to citizen into their online Digi locker account. An outlay of Rs. 68 crore has been provided for undertaking the various e-Gov projects during 2020-21.
EMPLOYEE WELFARE
- The State Govt has recently notified the enhanced contribution of 14% as employer share w.e.f. 1.4.2019 for all its employees recruited on or after 1.1.2004 and covered under NPS. The State has also notified the provision of Death cum Retirement Gratuity as also Ex gratia to dependants of employees covered under NPS and the same has been made effective from 1.1.2004 itself.
- Sir, the Government as a part of its digital initiatives, from 1st April 2018 onwards had successfully implemented Human Resource Management System (HRMS) i.e. an online database containing the entire service record of all the government employees of the State. For bringing transparency and to remain committed towards the welfare of the employees, I am pleased to state that we have launched the iHRMS app on 10th February 2020 through which the government employees/officials can view all the details pertaining to his/her service record through this app.
6TH PUNJAB PAY COMMISSION
- The 6th Punjab Pay Commission was set up vide notification dated 24.02.2016 and is expected to submit its recommendation in near future. Aware of this, I have made a suitable provision in the budget estimates for 2020-21.
EXCISE AND TAXATION
- The Government has notified a new Assessment Policy under the Punjab Value Added Tax Act, 2005 for deciding the pending VAT assessment cases related to the financial years 2013-14 to 2016-17. Under this policy, small business entities will get rid of the assessments and only 8,000 large business entities will be assessed under the VAT Act in a year. As a result, number of cases pertaining to the assessment years 2013-14 to 2016-17 will reduce from 1,24,000 cases to approx. 30,000 cases.
- A new Data Mining Cell with the use of business intelligence software has been established for enhancing the tax compliance measures under GST and the department is consistently working on Red Flag Reports shared by Government of India on the GST Network to check GST leakages and enhance the revenues.
- The Department has decided to implement e-abkari software during the next year. This IT based system will also be helpful in improving compliance besides assisting users in availing Excise related services electronically.
- Speaker Sir, I would draw the attention of the august house to para 188 of my speech while submitting the Budget estimates for 2018-19 and I quote:
“GST has been implemented in the country w.e.f. 1st July, 2017. While the implementation had a serious effect on the cash flows of the revenues of the state to the extent that they were unpredictable both in terms of receipts and timing in the initial months of implementation, we do hope that by the end of the fiscal year the state would receive all of its assured revenues. This uncertainty has of course also had an impact on the state’s ability to release funds for development works.”
- Unfortunately, my hope that the State would receive all of its assured revenues has not fructified. The Government of India has unilaterally, without remorse, renegaded on its sovereign guarantee of ensuring a smooth roll-over of GST without even mentioning, let alone deliberating, the same with the States. The Union Finance Minister in the Budget Speech for FY 2020-21 has stated that “Hereinafter, transfers to the fund would be limited only to collection by way of GST compensation cess” meaning thereby that the Government of India has rather than working on enhancing the compensation adopted an easy approach of limiting the release to the collection. This year the release of compensation for assured revenues has already been delayed thrice.Much to our disappointment, the apprehension I had expressed that the uncertainty shall have a serious impact on the State’s ability to release funds for development works, has come true.
- Furthermore, even as regards the Devolution of our share of Central Taxes, the Government of India in its Revised Estimates for the year 2019-20 has reduced our share by Rs. 2974 crore,thereby seriously impeding our efforts to fund our committed and developmental expenditure.
BUDGET AT A GLANCE
Mr. Speaker Sir,
- The total Budget size for the year 2020-21 is Rs. 1,54,805 crore. However, the effective Budget size, after providing for a budget provision of Rs. 35,000 crore towards Ways and Means transactions for the current year, is Rs. 1,19,805 crore. The total Receipts are expected to be Rs. 1,53, 048 crore. The details are as follows:
Item | Revised Estimates 2019-20 (Rs. crore) | Budget Estimates 2020-21 (Rs. crore) | |
1 | Revenue Receipts (2+3+4+5) | 73975 | 88004 |
2 | State’s Own Tax Revenue | 33739 | 35824 |
3 | State’s Own Non-Tax Revenue | 7962 | 8046 |
4 | Share of Central Taxes | 10346 | 14021 |
5 | Grants-in-Aid from Centre | 21928 | 30113 |
6 | Capital Receipts (7+8+9) | 75010 | 65043 |
7 | Public Debt excluding Ways and Means Advances | 26947 | 29998 |
8 | Ways & Means Advances | 32000 | 35000 |
9 | Non-Debt Receipts | 16064 | 45 |
10 | Total Receipts (1+6) | 148986 | 153048 |
11 | Revenue Expenditure (12+13+14+15) | 86602 | 95716 |
12 | Salaries and Wages (including Grant-in-Aid Salary) | 25449 | 27639 |
13 | Pension and retirement benefits | 10213 | 12267 |
14 | Interest Payments | 17625 | 19075 |
15 | Other Revenue Expenditure | 33315 | 36735 |
16 | Capital Expenditure | 19641 | 10280 |
17 | Repayment of Public Debt excluding Ways and Means Advances | 12633 | 12928 |
18 | Repayment of Ways & Means Advances | 32000 | 35000 |
19 | Advances of Loans | 821 | 882 |
20 | Total Expenditure (11+16+17+18+19) | 151697 | 154805 |
21 | Revenue Deficit (11-1) | 12627 | 7712 |
Revenue Deficit as % of GSDP | 2.20 | 1.20 | |
22 | Fiscal Deficit (21+19+16-9) | 17025 | 18828 |
Fiscal Deficit as % of GSDP | 2.96 | 2.92 | |
23 | Primary Deficit (+)/Primary Surplus (-) (22-14) | -600 | -247 |
24 | Outstanding Debt | 228906 | 248236 |
Outstanding Debt as % of GSDP | 39.83 | 38.53 | |
25 | GSDP at Current Prices | 574760 | 644326 |
* Figures have been rounded off
- It is my pleasant duty to inform the house that the State which had not been in Primary Surplus since 2006 has posted a Primary Surplus during all the three years of the present Government and we expect to remain in Primary Surplus in 2020-21(BE) as well.
- Let me utilize the timeless words of the great statesmen and former US President Franklin D Roosevelt to proffer my firm belief that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself…” This assertion, uttered to the American people in 1933 at the peak of the Great Depression and economic hardship, renders true for Punjab as well.
- Our primary predicament has been engineering a method to reduce Punjab’s crippling debt whilst minimizing the burden of this exercise on the common man. This has not been an unsolvable task and we have faced it wisely and courageously, accomplished by a strong and determined Government of Capt. Amarinder Singh ji, treating the task as we would treat the emergency of a war.
- In conclusion, I would like to state that I welcome detailed scrutiny of the budget presented by this Government. I think what one will find is a Finance Department that has worked sensibly and steadily to address the most critical problems given the prevailing circumstances. Nevertheless, I look forward to being appraised of mistakes that may have been made.
- Contrary to the claim of some of my critics, I have never been so naïve to think or believe that we can pull Punjab out of crippling debt in a single election cycle or with a single government, particularly with a Finance Minister as imperfect as myself. But I have asserted a firm conviction, a conviction rooted in my faith in God and my faith in the people of Punjab, that working together we can move past our fiscal woes, and that in fact we have no choice. We have no choiceif we are to continue on the path of prosperity…What we know, what we have seen, is that Punjab can rise to meet challenges if its people are determined. That is the true character of the people of this State, a recognition of which should give us hope for a better tomorrow. I am confident that such is God’s will, and the sheer strength of the Punjabi’s.
- Therefore, while we do welcome criticism, we must remember an immutable fact: it is easier to be critical than to be correct. Moreover, while everyone – especially so in this august house has an equal right to express an opinion, all opinions are not equal. I urge my Hon’ble colleagues to engage with this budget in the same spirit with which it was crafted: one of selfless service to the state and impartial cooperation. To quote another great son of PunjabSahirLudhianvi:
“AÑDHERĪ SHAB MEÑ BHĪ TĀMĪR-E-ĀSHIYĀÑ NA RUKE
NAHĪÑ CHARĀĠH TO KYĀ BARQ TO CHAMAKTĪ HAI”
(nzX/oh Pp w/A Ghskwho^J/^nkPhnK Bk o[e/,
BjhAuokr s’ fenkpoe s’ uweshj?.
- I wish to record my gratitude to Hon’ble Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh Ji, a friend and a leader of men, without his unstinted support & guidance, I would not be able to discharge my duties effectively and efficiently.
- I thank you, Mr. Speaker Sir, and all the Hon’ble members of this august House, for your past support. I ask you to join us tomorrow. And most of all, I ask you to join us in all the tomorrows yet to come, in building Punjab, moving Punjab, and picking-up this State of ours and sending it into the next decades.
- Speaker Sir, I am reminded of the beautiful lines of another poet of the Land of the Five Rivers:
“HUMARI HOSLA BULANDI KA ANJAM KUCHH BHI HO,
UTHAYA US NE JAB SE TEER, SEENA TAAN CHUKE HAIN”
(jwkohj”;bk p[bzdheknzikw e[S Gh j’,
T[mkfJnk T[; B/ ip ;/ sho, ;hBkskB u[Ze/ j?A.)
- Sir, before I resume my seat, I must perform one very necessary and pleasant duty – that is to express my appreciation of the responsible and heavy work zealously performed by the Officers and the staff of the Finance and Planning Department. I refer tothem because Hon’ble members do not see anything of these Officers, because they are completely screened behind official doors and Secretariat literature but I have not allowed them to observe the same seclusion from me, and I am personally able to testify to their great merits.
- We have continued to receive throughout the year all possible valuable help from the Accountant General Punjab. His keen interest in our financial rectitude and welfare has been of the outmost advantage to the State, and I would like to take this opportunity of recording the Government’s gratitude towards him.
- Sir, I beg to present to the Assembly the budget for the year 2020-2021.
JAI HIND