Rajasthan allocates 50% budget to power

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday boosted the states power sector in his budget for 2010-11,dedicating more than half the budgetary provision for power generation and transmission....

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday boosted the states power sector in his budget for 2010-11,dedicating more than half the budgetary provision for power generation and transmission. Gehlot,who also holds the finance portfolio,announced a surplus budget for the year with an emphasis on social services,agriculture and rural development.

In a state where power has remained a perennial problem and Gehlots primary concern since he began his second term in December 2008,the CM made his intentions clear about power security,allocating Rs 12,434 crore (52 per cent) of the Rs 23,822 crore budget for 2010-11 as compared to 41 per cent in 2009-10 and 2008-09. With these allocations,the sector will generate 1860 megawatts by the end of the 11th plan and Rajasthan will be closer to power security,which is our ultimate goal, he said,adding that emphasis will be given to non-conventional power sources like biogas,wind and solar power,while the state will also draft a new solar policy.

While announcing a surplus budget for 2010-11,Gehlot said the annual plan of Rs 23,822 crore was 37 per cent higher than the previous years plan. According to him,more funds have been allocated to power,social services,roads,transport,agriculture services and rural development.

He announced that to better the law and order system,the Jaipur and Jodhpur police will function as police commissioner system.

The CM said a special assistance scheme for 38,000 tribal farmers to promote horticulture and a 50 per cent subsidy on interest on loans availed by women Self Help Groups. Gehlot said the government will provide wheat at Rs 2 per kg for BPL families. The state plans to construct 5,000 km of roads,while 750 new ambulances will be added along with special trauma units in all district hospitals and hospitals on national highways.

The BJP termed the budget anti-people and slammed the government for a 10 paisa increase in domestic electricity tariff,hike in tax on vehicles as well as VAT from 4 to 5 per cent. Deputy leader of the Opposition Ganshyam Tiwari said,The government has made no new provisions for health and education sectors.