On Friday, the Jharkhand government presented a budget of one lakh crore for the 2023-24 fiscal year, which is 15% higher than the previous year’s financial statement. Finance Minister Rameshwar Oraon, who tabled the budget in the House, announced a program costing crore to encourage millet production in the state.
He added that the budget would support the all-round development of the state and meet the aspirations of its people. The government has introduced several innovative schemes to promote rapid economic growth in the state.
Despite the economic challenges, the government has managed to strengthen the economy and take care of the most vulnerable populations.
Oraon stated that the state’s economic growth rate in 2021-22 was 8.2%, while it is estimated to be 7.8% in 2022-23 compared to the national economic growth rate.
The government’s top priority is to control and reduce the fiscal deficit, which they have successfully kept below 1% in 2021-22. According to Oraon, the state has achieved a “steady increase” in its revenue earnings through better financial management.
The Jharkhand government has launched the Anganwadi Chalo campaign to enhance pre-school education. As part of this campaign, Anganwadi workers will receive smartphones, while the honorarium of both Anganwadi workers and helpers has been raised by Rs 10 and Rs 500, respectively. Additionally, a group insurance scheme for Anganwadi workers and helpers will be introduced, with a yearly premium of Rs 250. To further improve the pre-schooling infrastructure, the state will construct 500 new Anganwadi buildings at a cost of Rs 100 crore.
Under the Panchayat Secretariat Strengthening Scheme, 65-inch LED TVs will be installed in all Panchayat Secretariats, enabling office bearers of panchayats to participate in dialogues with district headquarters and the capital, as well as easily access information about state-sponsored rural development schemes through TV.
The state government of Jharkhand has introduced the Chief Minister’s Employment Generation Scheme, which will provide skill training to all unemployed youth in the state. In case they do not get a job even after training, an unemployment allowance of Rs 6 per month will be given to the unemployed youth, and Rs 1000 per month to young women and disabled individuals.
The budget has also allocated Rs 1717 crore for women and social security, including the Kishori Kalyan Yojana and incentives to promote widow remarriage. Additionally, free sanitary pads will be provided to women and adolescent girls, and prenatal women will receive nutritious food. After delivery, a maternity kit will be given to new mothers.
The budget has also made provisions for higher and technical education, including the establishment of new government polytechnic colleges in Barhi, Bundu, Patratu, Chaibasa, Jamshedpur, and Khunti. The government will also set up psychiatry centers in Palamu, Chaibasa, and Dumka.
The Jharkhand government has announced that air ambulance facility will be provided at a cheaper rate in case of emergency in the state. The air service will start from Dumka and Bokaro airports in the coming financial year.
100 cold storages of 566 metric capacity will be set up so that farmers’ crops are not wasted. Under the Birsa Irrigation Well Promotion Mission Scheme, irrigation wells will be constructed on the individual land of 1 lakh farmers.
Padmada and Palamu mega plant irrigation projects will be set up. New dairy plants at Giridih and Jamshedpur and milk powder and milk product plants set up in Ranchi Grass root training center and Siddha-Kanhu Youth Club will be set up in the state to promote sports and nurture sporting talent.
A new tourism policy will be developed to boost the tourism industry in Jharkhand. Additionally, model libraries will be established in all state hostels.
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