Shimla, March 25 Despite the central government discontinuing the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) for Himachal Pradesh, the state government has allocated adequate provisions in the budget, emphasizing the education sector, Dehra MLA Kamlesh Thakur said on Wednesday.
The Himachal government has paid special attention in this budget to women, children, youth, the elderly, and the destitute, she said.
Participating in the budget discussion in the House on Wednesday, she said the figures presented indicate that the government has worked towards making every segment of society self-reliant, and provisions were made with a keen understanding of the common man's daily needs.
The monthly honorarium for Anganwadi and ASHA workers has been increased by Rs 1,000 each, while the pension for persons with disabilities has been raised from Rs 1,700 to Rs 3,000, Thakur, who is also the wife of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, said.
She also advocated for special provisions for single women to ensure greater security and stability in their lives.
The MLA also welcomed the budget's provision to provide 300 units of free electricity to eligible beneficiaries, and added that the government is actively promoting natural farming, a move that will benefit women engaged in livestock rearing at home, and small-scale farmers.
She said even after the adverse impact on the state's economic health caused by the discontinuation of the RDG, the Himachal Pradesh government nevertheless allocated adequate provisions in the budget, placing a special emphasis on the education sector.
She remarked that the budget includes specific provisions for the agricultural sector and the increase in the minimum support prices for ginger, milk, and turmeric will benefit farmers.