Gujarat Budget 2022-23: Highest allocation for education sector

The government allocated the highest Rs 34,884 crore for the education sector, followed by Rs 15,568 crore to the Energy and Petrochemicals department, Rs 14,297 crore to the Urban Development, Rs 12,240 crore to Health and Family Welfare and Rs 12,024 crore to Road and Building department.

Gujarat Budget 2022-23: Highest allocation for education sector

Gujarat Finance Minister Kanu Desai presented the last budget before Assembly elections, choosing to not levy any new taxes and giving the highest allocation for education. The Budget also dropped professional tax for those earning a salary of up to Rs 12,000 per month. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the budget was pro-poor and had something for everyone.

The Budget for this financial year proposed an outlay of Rs 2,43,965 crore, nearly Rs 17,000 crore more than the previous year. It estimated an overall surplus of Rs 560.09 crore. The government allocated the highest Rs 34,884 crore for the education sector, followed by Rs 15,568 crore to the Energy and Petrochemicals department, Rs 14,297 crore to the Urban Development, Rs 12,240 crore to Health and Family Welfare and Rs 12,024 crore to Road and Building department.

Though the budget did not offer any new taxes, the state government gave relief to the salaried class by scrapping the professional tax on the monthly salary of upto Rs 12,000. This will benefit nearly 15 lakh people, said Desai in the budget speech.

At present, the state government deducts Rs 80 and Rs 150, respectively, from the monthly salary brackets of Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,999 and Rs 9,000 to Rs 11,999. The relief would make a dent of Rs 108 crore in the state income, the finance minister mentioned.

The budget is focused mainly on providing social security, fighting malnutrition and creating new infrastructure, Desai told the House. Some of the key allocations included Rs 500 crore for a new scheme -- Mukhyamantri Gau Mata Poshan Yojna -- to provide financial assistance for running cow shelters (`Gaushalas').

Desai announced that a drone research and development centre, as well as drone training institutions, will be set up in Gujarat to promote the use of drones in agriculture, land measurement, health and maintenance of law and order.

To promote medical education and research, the state government will establish a medical university, said Desai, adding that new medical colleges will be started in Botad, Khambhalia and Veraval towns of the Saurashtra region. The budget proposed an allocation of Rs 937 crore to construct 10,000 new classrooms in existing primary and secondary schools run by the government.

On the lines of Military Schools run by the Centre, the state government will start "Raksha Shakti Schools" for students of standard 6th to 12th with "social participation," said Desai, adding that Rs 5 crore has been allotted in this budget for the scheme.

Read More:

• SC quashes appointment of Sardar Patel University's Vice-Chancellor

• Central University of Odisha inks MoU with research entity to set up tribal digital literacy centre
• IGNOU January Admission 2022 deadline extended, check details