Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Prof. Chander Kumar and Youth Service and Sports and Ayush Minister, Yadvinder Goma, while appreciating the 2nd budget presented by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at Vidhan Sabha today, said that the budget was a right step in shaping the economy of the agriculturalists and horticulturalists of the State and will play a pivotal role in strengthening the diary sector. Besides, the economic reforms will also help the State to be self reliant.
Chander Kumar said that allocation of Rs. 582 crore for agriculture sector reflects the commitment of the State Government for improving the economy of the farming community of the State, as 90 percent of the population resides in the rural areas, the sops announced for the farmers will certainly help to improve their economy by adopting through modern tools.
The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for procuring the cow milk at the rate of Rs. 45 from the existing Rs. 38 and that of the buffalo milk to Rs. 55 from present Rs. 47 per litre will certainly help in expansion of local diary industry besides fetching good rates to the cattle rearers, aid Agriculture Minister.
He said that Himachal Pradesh has become the first State in the country to enhance the MSP for milk.
Sh. Goma said that manifold increase in the prize money of players in Olympics, and other National and International events will encourage the Himachali youth to adopt sports as a profession. Besides, the construction of multipurpose sports complex through the State will help the budding players to hone their skills and get prepared to face the national and International sports events he said.
Besides, Sh. Goma also welcomed the announcement of increasing existing 43 sports included under 3 percent sports quota to give excellent players an opportunity to serve in government departments.
The Ministers said that apart the critical economic condition of the State, the Budget had everything for every community. The increase in the honorarium of Anganwari workers, daily wage earners, asha workers, mid-day meal workers, water carriers etc shows the commitment of the government to uplift the rural working sector. An increase of Rs. 60 in daily wages of MNREGA workers is also a welcome step.
Even the employees, who were considered the backbone of the State, have been provided the much awaited dearness allowance @ 4 percent. Even the outsource workers have been taken care of in the Budget who will get Rs. 12,000 per month. Leave Travel concession to the government employees twice in a year, the enhancement in the salary of panchayat veterinary assistants, shows that every section has been taken care of in the budget.