Chhattisgarh Finance Minister OP Chaudhary presented the state’s maiden digital budget in the legislative assembly on Friday. The budget amounts to a staggering ₹1,47,500 crore.

The theme of the budget revolves around laying the foundation for ‘Amrit Kal’ (Golden Era) and ‘GREAT CG’. The budget briefcase featured portraits of Chhattisgarh Mahtatri and the depiction of Bharat Mata (Mother India).

The estimated budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 is ₹1,47,500 crore, marking a 22 per cent increase compared to the previous year’s budget of ₹1,21,501 crore under the Congress government.

During the budget speech, Finance Minister O P Chaudhary underlined the necessity of setting intermediate targets before reaching the long-term vision of 2047, aiming for a developed Chhattisgarh by then. Determining the mid-term target to achieve this goal remains a priority.

The finance minister said, “Prime Minister Modi has set ambitious targets of a five trillion as mid-term goal and then achieving $10-trillion economy for the nation’s economic growth. He aims to propel India to become the world’s third-largest economic power in the next 5 years.”

Following this trajectory, Chhattisgarh also aspires to define a similar mid-term goal. Presently, Chhattisgarh’s GDP stands at approximately ₹5 lakh crore, with the aspiration to reach ₹10 lakh crore by 2028, marking a significantly ambitious target.

The government has announced its vision to transform Chhattisgarh into a developed state by 2047 and has unveiled a vision document titled “Amrit Kal Chhattisgarh Vision 2047.” Ten fundamental strategic pillars have been outlined to achieve the state’s medium and long-term objectives.

Key highlights of the budget:

1. GYAN – Focus on Socio-Economic Development: The budget emphasizes the development of four segments: “G” for Garib (Poor), “Y” for Yuva (Youth), “A” for Annadata (Farmers), and “N” for Nari (Women).
2. Technology-Driven Reforms: Accelerating economic growth through technology-based reforms and good governance.
3. Ensuring Adequate Capital amid Challenges: Facilitating increased capital expenditure amidst challenges.
4. Optimal Utilization of Natural Resources
5. Exploring New Opportunities in the Service Sector: Focus on new possibilities in the service sector.
6. Encouraging Private Investments: Ensuring private investments alongside government capacities.
7. Focus on Bastar-Sarguja Region
8. Promotion of Decentralized Development Pockets
9. Development of Chhattisgarhi Culture
10. Importance of Implementation

The budget also earmarks funds for various sectors, emphasising the integration of technology across departments to enhance efficiency. The finance minister emphasised that the government departments equipped with high-end technology, the quicker and more transparent their operations will be.

The allocation includes the announcement of leveraging artificial intelligence to reform the education system, ensuring transparent processes like the Public Service Commission (PSC) examinations, and expanding coaching for tribal children for UPSC preparations.

For the agriculture sector, a substantial budget of ₹13,438 crores has been allocated for the fiscal year 2024-25, focusing on interest-free loans, agricultural colleges in Kunakuri, Ramchandrapur, Khadgawan, and the establishment of agricultural machinery labs in Durg and Sarguja districts.

Focus on Women and Villages:

The budget places significant emphasis on rural development, allocating ₹70,539 crore under Panchayat and Rural Development, a 70 per cent increase from the previous year. Additionally, a provision of ₹561 crore has been made to provide employment to women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Notably, under the Mahatari Vandana Yojana, an annual amount of ₹117 crores has been allocated to provide financial aid to women.

Healthcare for Underprivileged Areas:

Addressing the healthcare needs of regions like Sarguja and Bastar, the finance minister announced the development of Medical Colleges in Sarguja along the lines of AIIMS and the reconstruction of Simga’s dilapidated building with a budget of ₹700 crores. Moreover, the allocation of ₹773 crore has been made to increase the number of beds in hospitals in Mekahara, Raipur.

Focus on Laborers:

The government has initiated the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Agriculture Labor Scheme, providing ₹10,000 annually to each family and aiming to raise the state’s GDP from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh crore over the next five years.