PUDUCHERRY: Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Monday presented Rs 7,530 crore budget for the financial year 2018-2019 amidst a walk-out by the entire opposition. It will be financed by internal resources estimated at Rs 4,570 crores (61 per cent), Central assistance Rs 1,476 crore (25 per cent) and anticipated grants for the Centrally-sponsored schemes (Rs 409 crore), said Narayanasamy. The remaining Rs 1,050 crore (14 per cent) will be met through open market borrowings and loans from financial institutions.
The budget presented amidst tight financial scenario which the Chief Minister highlighted while presenting the budget, is devoid of any new major schemes.
However, the main thrust is on empowerment of rural women, extending benefits to new beneficiaries of welfare schemes for aged, widows, scheduled castes, strengthening the farm and fishing sectors and enhancing quality of education and medical care.
An income guarantee scheme for empowerment of rural women is proposed. Under this, bee-keeping will be started in villages under the bee-and-me scheme through women self-help groups (SGHs). Equipment for bee-keeping will be provided at a 40 per cent subsidy besides availing bank loans after imparting training.
The government proposes to extend a 25 per cent subsidy to women and members of SGHs to procure 6,000 milch animals. During the current year, milk production will be 49,000 metric tonne, egg production 113.70 lakh and meat production 14,622 metric tonne, he said.