Ahead of Budget Session scheduled from February 19, Haryana Legislators on Tuesday gave their suggestions and inputs on Budget 2020-21 during the ongoing pre-Budget consultation meeting in Panchkula.
While the ruling party MLAs expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar for organising pre-Budget meeting to incorporate their suggestions in the Budget, the opposition Legislators were apparently not much impressed by the idea, especially at a stage when the Budget must have been given final shape.
Taking to reporters, Khattar said, “We consulted different stakeholders including those associated with industry, service sector, agriculture, real estate, women and MPs. During pre-Budget consultation meeting, MLAs have given their suggestions by rising above party lines. We assured them that their viable suggestions would be incorporated in the State Budget.”
Asked about the common minimum programme (CMP) of the BJP-JJP coalition Government, Khattar said both the parties had promised the people through their manifestoes during election and those common would be implemented. "Some of them have already been implemented. There will be no budget for common minimum programme", he said.
Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda who was present in the meeting said he attended attended the pre-budget meeting but did not give any suggestion on State’s budget as the current Government has not presented any economic survey. "I do not know about fund allocation to various departments. I do not know State’s economic condition. Under such circumstances, how can I give my suggestions on State Budget?” he asked.
Education Minister Kanwar Pal Gujjar said that the Government has limited budget so suggestions are needed to draft a good Budget. Legislators’ suggestions would be incorporated, he said, hoping that the Government would increase its Budget on education.
Haryana Minister Banwari Lal said that he suggested the Government to increase Budget for OBC/SC. Money given to the people under Awas Yojana should also be doubled. Steps should be taken to prevent scholarship scam, he said.
Health Minister Anil Vij said that around 50 suggestions for health department were received from MLAs during pre-budget consultation meeting.
Narnaund JJP MLA Ram Kumar Gautam said, “I suggested the Government to increase the pension of elders. JJP had promised to increase the pension of elders upto Rs 5100. If the Government cannot immediately increase the pension to Rs 5100 then they should increase it by Rs 1, 000 annually. People would have faith in our announcement.”
Jagbir Singh Malik, Congress MLA from Gohana said that in place of setting up new hospitals, the existing hospitals should be modernised. There has been shortage of specialist doctors in BPS Govt. Medical College, Khanpur Kalan. Earlier, around 4000 patients were being treated at OPD of this hospital but due to poor infrastructure and shortage of specialist doctors, only 400 or 500 patients are being treated here on daily basis.
Geeta Bhukkal Congress MLA from Jhajjar said that she suggested the Government to allocate maximum funds on education, health and medical education. In absence of proper infrastructure and specialist doctors, the district civil hospital of the State has become referral centre for the people of the State. “We have suggested the Government now during pre-budget consultation meeting. Let’s see what Government does on our suggestions. We will expose them during budget discussion in the Vidhan Sabha if suggestions are not incorporated,” she added.
Naina Singh Chautala, JJP MLA from Dabwali said that she suggested the Government to give special attention on girls’ education, their empowerment as well as providing them with transport facilities among others.
Ranbir Singh Gangwa, BJP MLA and Deputy Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha said MLAs cutting across party lines gave their suggestions. According to the schedule prepared for consultation with the MLAs, during three days of pre-Budget meeting, discussion on agriculture, education, health, urban local bodies, the social sector and infrastructure development among others will be held. Legislators gave suggestions on agriculture sector and how to double farmers’ income among others. The MLAs have been given a chance to give constructive ideas to better the performance in all above sectors during pre-budget meeting.
Yamuna Nagar BJP MLA Ghanshyam Dass Arora said, “I suggested the Government to take steps for promoting organic farming. As many parts of the State face shortage of water, water harvesting should be promoted. Soil health card scheme should be executed effectively. Farmers should be educated and encouraged to avoid using pesticide".
Tohana JJP MLA Devender Singh Babli said that along with farming, farmers should be encouraged for horticulture, vegetable cultivation and animal husbandry. Combined farming should be promoted. Storage capacity should be enhanced in the State apart from increasing Agriculture budget in this current annual budget.
BJP MLA from Indri Ram Kumar Kashyap said, “I suggested the Government to promote organic farming. Excess use of pesticide invites number of diseases and people become victim of it. Such meeting would help the Government to draft healthy Budget for the people of the State.”
Ellenabad MLA and senior INLD leader Abhay Chautala alleged that Government is not serious about the pre-budget discussion and it was a mere formality. He alleged that Budget book has questioned the need of organsing pre-Budget meeting. "By organising this, Government is misleading the people and the opposition parties would expose the Government on this issue," he said, adding that Government should encourage research and innovation in State Universities.