Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday dedicated the largest annual Budget of Uttar Pradesh to Lord Shri Ram, and said it created a perfect roadmap for comprehensive and balanced development of the state, aligning with the aspirations of its populace.

Addressing a press conference following the presentation of Budget 2024-25 in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, he said Lord Shri Ram epitomised the well-being of people, asserting His presence right from the inception till the conclusion of the Budget.

The CM articulated that the new Budget offered a perfect roadmap for comprehensive and balanced development of the state, aligning with the aspirations of its populace. The Chief Minister added that the new Uttar Pradesh was all about celebration, inclusiveness and hope.

Congratulating State Finance Minister Suresh Khanna for presenting the Budget for the fifth time, the CM remarked that this Budget of Rs 7,36,437.71 crore was the biggest to date, 6.7 per cent up compared to the budget of 2023-24, and is dedicated to faith, ‘antyodaya’ ( welfare of the people in the bottom of the pyramid) and economy.

The increase in the size of the state budget is based on the commitment of the double engine government to expand the economy of the state as well as the Prime Minister’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Prayas, he stated.

Highlighting key aspects of the Budget, the Chief Minister underscored a groundbreaking provision for capital expenditure, amounting to Rs 2,03,782.38 crore, describing it as a testament to the government’s commitment to bolstering infrastructure. Emphasising the symbiotic relationship between infrastructure investment, job creation, and economic fortification, he envisioned a significant leap in the state’s GDP, projecting an increase from Rs 12 lakh crore in 2016-17 to an impressive Rs 25 lakh crore by 2024-25.

In a notable achievement, the Chief Minister highlighted the government’s success in doubling the per capita income, propelling Uttar Pradesh to the position of the second-largest economy in the country. This transformative progress, he explained, was a result of the government’s resolute stance against tax evasion and rigorous measures undertaken across various departments to staunchly eliminate revenue leakage. Consequently, Uttar Pradesh has achieved the status of a revenue surplus state, with manifold increase in revenue over the past seven years, he pointed out.

According to him, what sets this accomplishment apart is the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, refraining from imposing additional taxes or burdening the common man and at the same time implementing welfare schemes at an extensive scale.

The Chief Minister also expressed happiness over Uttar Pradesh’s fiscal deficit of 3.46 per cent being within the limit of 3.5 per cent as set by the Reserve Bank. “This underscores the government’s vision for security, development and good governance along with fiscal discipline”, he stated.

He added that the government has also been successful in controlling the unemployment rate in the past seven years. “In 2016-17, the unemployment rate in the state was 19.2 per cent, which has reduced to 2.4 per cent today. New employment opportunities and a new environment for industrial investment have been created. MSME units have been revived. Also, schemes like One District-One Product (ODOP) and Vishwakarma Shram Samman have given UP a new identity in the country”, he remarked.

The Chief Minister also discussed the important proposals made in the budget for the welfare and empowerment of the poor, women, youth and farmers in the state. He said new projects worth Rs 24,863.57 crore have been included in the Budget. ”There is also a proposal to provide an interest free loan of Rs 5 lakh for the youth under the Chief Minister Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan Yojana. Apart from this, provision has been made for formation of Employment Promotion Fund, in which arrangements for training, internship and apprenticeship have been made,” he stated.

The proposals also include establishment of Government Institute of Fashion Technology in Varanasi and two mega government ITIs, upgradation of 69 ITIs , setting up of Sports Science and Injury Centre and Senior Citizen Welfare Fund, and development of 22,000 mini Anganwadi centers as main Anganwadi centers.

Adityanath highlighted the proactive steps taken to advance the establishment of the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority in the state. Notably, after a span of 46 years, a new city was slated to emerge within the state, strategically positioned between Kanpur and Jhansi, he said.

The budget also allocates resources for the enhancement of spiritual tourism in Uttar Pradesh, focusing on developing infrastructure along the Nath corridor theme in key cities including Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura, Naimish, Vindhyachal, Devipatan, and Bareilly. Additionally, provisions have been made for the creation of a Kumbh Museum in Prayagraj. The financial plan extends support for cultural enrichment through the establishment of a music college in Hariharpur, Azamgarh, and the inception of the International Ramayana and Vedic Research Center in Ayodhya.

Addressing the agricultural sector, the Chief Minister announced the Chief Minister Farm Security Scheme for farmers, emphasising the importance of agriculture as a primary sector. The proposal includes the introduction of a State Agricultural Scheme across the state. Furthermore, financial provisions have been made to provide electricity to private tubewell farmers, contributing to the overall improvement of the agricultural landscape.

In a forward-looking initiative to safeguard agriculture from the impacts of global warming, the budget outlines plans to install automatic rain gauges in every gram panchayat, the CM stated.

He described the Budget as very important also because it has appeared in the Amrit Kaal of the state. The CM mentioned the important works done by the government in the context of the Green Budget. “Green tagging has started for 17 departments of the state. UP will be the first state to do green tagging. Our budget process has become completely digital. This is a budget for the welfare of mothers, sisters and daughters. This budget is going to fulfill the overall aspirations of the state.”, he stated further.

The Chief Minister said that this is the eighth budget of his government and has its own unique theme like the previous ones. While the budget of 2017-18 was dedicated to ‘Annadata’ (farmers), budget of 2018-19 to infrastructure and industrial development, budget of 2019-20 to women empowerment, budget 2020-21 to youth, budget 2021-22 to empowerment through self-reliance, budget 2022-23 to self-reliance through ‘Antyodaya’, budget 2023-24 to accelerated and all-inclusive development and the latest budget 2024-25 to Lord Shri Ram with larger public welfare in mind.

The budget also mentions ,”For centuries, the life of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram has served as a source of inspiration for India and the world, urging individuals to aspire for higher ideals. His unwavering commitment to honour his father’s word, forsaking royal luxuries without hesitation to embark on exile, and resolutely suppressing the wicked and unrighteous sets a unique and unparalleled example of royal righteousness.”

There were repeated references to Lord Shri Ram and the spiritual essence of Ayodhya throughout the Budget speech.

During the budget speech, Finance Minister Suresh Khanna emphasised the Yogi government’s commitment, stating, “It is not an exaggeration to say that the governance of our state is currently inspired by the concept of Ramrajya, advancing towards socio-cultural, economic, and spiritual progress.”

Minister Khanna also highlighted the grand celebration of Deepotsav in Ayodhya, where a Guinness World Record was set by illuminating 22.23 lakh lamps on Ram Ki Pairi. ”This event serves as a testament to the magnificence of Ayodhya.” Additionally, he encouraged the public to adopt the noble character of Lord Shri Ram in their lives, seeking inspiration from it.