In the pre-budget meeting, Chhattisgarh Finance Minister Shri OP Choudhary presented several proposals in the interest of the state
The amount of special assistance to states for capital investment should be kept as before
Proposal to expand rail network in the state
Also requested for establishment of Industrial Corridor, Textile Park, Medical Device Park
Raipur, 22 June 2024
In the pre-budget meeting held in New Delhi, Finance Minister Mr. OP Choudhary gave important suggestions regarding Chhattisgarh’s development plans as per the wishes of Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Dev Sai. He put forward many important proposals and suggestions in the interest of the state, including the amount of special assistance to the states, development of State Capital Region and expansion of rail network in the state. Union Finance Minister Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of State for Finance Mr. Pankaj Choudhary along with Finance Ministers of other states were present in the pre-budget meeting held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, Delhi.
In the meeting, on behalf of the state government, Finance Minister Shri Choudhary praised the progress of India’s economy and the steps taken towards the goal of developed India by 2047. He also praised the development work being done in the field of agriculture, health, education, administration, and public facilities through infrastructure construction, skill enhancement, entrepreneurship development, and applications of modern information technology in the country. He clarified that to make Chhattisgarh a ‘developed Chhattisgarh’ on the lines of developed India by 2047, the Government of Chhattisgarh is going to present the vision document “Amritkaal: Chhattisgarh Vision @2047” on November 1.
Speaking on the issue of state interest, Finance Minister Shri OP Choudhary said that the Central Government is providing interest-free loan amount for 50 years from the year 2020-21 as special assistance to the states for capital investment. In the interim budget 2024-25, a provision of Rs 1,30,000 crore has been made for this scheme, same as last year, but under Part-1, the provision of last year has been reduced from Rs 1 lakh crore to Rs 55,000 crore. He requested for provision of funds for this scheme as before.
Explaining the need for financial assistance for the development of the State Capital Region in the meeting, Mr. Choudhary said that Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, the new capital of Chhattisgarh, is being developed as the most planned and green city of the country. Roads, drinking water, electricity facilities, housing and other infrastructure have been constructed with the limited resources of the state, but the new capital is to be developed with modern urban facilities as a State Capital Region on the lines of NCR by combining Raipur and Durg-Bhilai.
He demanded to provide adequate financial support in the budget to develop it as a hub of information technology, finance, banking and green energy.
Demanding expansion of rail network in the state, Mr. Choudhary said that due to abundance of mineral resources in Chhattisgarh, transportation of minerals from the mines is mostly done by road due to lack of adequate rail network.
The expansion of the rail network is very important because the transportation of goods and passengers by rail is cheaper than by road and for industrial development. He requested for the approval of the expansion of rail facilities in the state for the benefit of the citizens.
He stressed the need to develop a new Nagpur-Raipur-Visakhapatnam industrial corridor or connect Raipur with the currently proposed corridor.
Apart from this, he also requested for setting up of Textile Park and Medical Device Park in the state.
The Finance Minister requested to make provision in the budget for the maintenance of roads constructed in inaccessible forest areas under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
The Finance Minister proposed the establishment of an Integrated Geriatric Health Centre for the elderly in Raipur.
He urged for increase in the rate of food items for children and honorarium of cooks under Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana. Along with this, he demanded increase in premium amount under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
Mr. Choudhary demanded 50 percent share of the additional financial burden imposed by the University Grants Commission for implementing the seventh pay commission. He also requested to provide international flight services from Raipur airport.
Demand was also made for necessary changes in the provisions of District Mineral Trust (DMF) so that this amount could be utilized properly.
Union Finance Minister Smt. Sitharaman has considered the suggestions positively and assured to provide more financial support for the development and public welfare works of the State.
Along with the Finance Minister of Chhattisgarh, Finance Secretary Mr. Mukesh Bansal was also present in the meeting.
