Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal presented the state budget for the financial year 2019-20 today. The 4.79 lakh crore budget was 12% higher than the previous year’s budget.
Among its salient features, special emphasis has been given to the promotion of the Sanskrit language. An allocation of Rs. 242 crores has been made for grants to Sanskrit Pathshalas in the state. Another 30 crores has been allotted to provide a grant to aided Sanskrit schools and degree colleges.
The Kashi Vidyapeeth will receive Rs. 21 crores for promoting education in Sanskrit while Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya will receive an amount of Rs. 21.51 crores. The Vedic Vigyan Centre at Banaras Hindu University will be given a grant of Rs. 16 crores. It’s the biggest allotment to any research centre by the state government in a decade.
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In addition, Rs 247 crore was allotted for the maintenance and construction of gaushalas in rural areas and Rs 200 crore for Kanha Gaushala and Destitute Cattle Shelter Scheme in urban areas. The government also expects to earn Rs. 165 crore from the cess imposed on alcohol which it plans to use for the upkeep of stray cattle. Rs. 459 crores were allotted for the modernization of Madrasas.
The UP government also announced the launch of a new scheme for women. The ‘Kanya Sumangala Yojna‘, which will be implemented from the next financial year, “with a view to raise health and educational standard of girls, brighten their future, bring in a positive change in the thinking towards women and instil a sense of respect towards them.”
The budget also allocated Rs. 300 crores for shrines and their development. Another Rs. 207 crore has been earmarked for the development and beautification of the Ganga Ghat to Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor.
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Besides these, Rs. 1298 crores have been reserved for the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The Swachh Bharat Mission received a grant of Rs. 6000 crore. The budget was hailed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as a ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ budget.