look news india
Shimla, 17 February (HS). Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Prof. Chandra Kumar and AYUSH, Youth Services and Sports Minister Yadvinder Goma have appreciated the second budget of the state government presented by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. He said that this budget will play an important role in giving the right direction to the agriculture and horticulture based economy of the state and strengthening the milk production sector. Also, many measures have been taken in the budget to establish Himachal as a self-reliant state through economic reforms.
He said that the interests of the farming class of the state have been kept in mind in the budget. Since 90 percent of the population in the state lives in rural areas, this budget of the state government will prove to be a milestone in strengthening the economy of the farmers.
He said that Himachal has become the first state in the country to declare minimum support price for milk purchase. In the budget, the Chief Minister has announced to increase the purchase price of cow milk from Rs 38 to Rs 45 and the purchase price of buffalo milk from Rs 47 per liter to Rs 55 per liter. This step of the government will not only expand the dairy industry but will also ensure better prices to the animal farmers for their milk products.
He said that the incentive amount for the players of the state who have won medals in various national and international sports events including the Olympics and Asian Games has been increased manifold. This will encourage the youth of Himachal to adopt sports as a career. Besides, the proposals made for strengthening the sports infrastructure in the state will help the emerging players in improving their skills. He also welcomed the inclusion of other competitions in addition to the existing 43 sports, under the ambit of three percent reservation for players in government jobs in the state.
Both the ministers said that despite the delicate financial condition of the state, every section of the society has been taken care of in this budget. The significant increase in the honorarium of Anganwadi workers, Asha workers, Mid-day-meal workers, water carriers etc. along with increase in daily wages shows the commitment of the present state government for the upliftment of the rural and labor sector. The increase in daily wage of MNREGA workers up to Rs 60 is welcome.