TDP News Desk
ITANAGAR, July 24: The Budget for 2024-25, presented by Deputy Chief Minister & Finance Minister Chowna Mein, outlines a broad array of initiatives aimed at fostering development across the state. While the budget sets forth ambitious goals, several challenges and potential oversights warrant critical examination.
Revenue and Expenditure Projections
The budget projects a total outlay of Rs 35,841 crore, a 21% increase from the previous year. The GSDP for the state is anticipated to be Rs 47,823 crore, with the fiscal deficit pegged at Rs 1,200.90 crore, or 2.5 percent of the GSDP. While these figures indicate a robust financial plan, the reliance on increased state revenue and central allocations raises questions about the sustainability of funding, especially in light of fluctuating central grants.
Inclusive Growth and Social Programs
The budget emphasizes inclusive growth, highlighting reductions in multidimensional poverty and improvements in the state's SDG score. However, the effectiveness of ongoing social programs remains contingent on efficient implementation and monitoring. The government has outlined plans to focus on nine key SDG goals where progress has been noted, yet it remains unclear how the remaining goals will be addressed, particularly in areas like 'Life Below Water' and 'Life on Land,' which are critical to the state's ecological balance.
Youth and Education Initiatives
Declaring 2024-25 as the 'Year of Youth,' the budget allocates significant resources to educational initiatives under the ARUN Schools for Rising India (SHRI) Mission. While the commitment to cover tuition and hostel fees for APST students in IITs is commendable, the broader educational infrastructure challenges, such as inadequate teacher training and rural school facilities, require more comprehensive strategies beyond funding allocations.
Healthcare Provisions
The introduction of the Arogya Bhava initiative and the planned establishment of a State Cancer Institute reflect the state's focus on healthcare. However, concerns persist regarding the accessibility and quality of healthcare services in remote areas. The budget's emphasis on healthcare infrastructure needs to be matched with practical measures to address the shortage of medical professionals and ensure consistent delivery of healthcare services, particularly in underserved regions.
Infrastructure & Development
The budget's significant allocation for infrastructure projects, including the second phase of the CMCSRDP and the expansion of the state's road network, is a positive step towards improving connectivity. Nonetheless, the environmental impact of these projects and the challenges of maintaining newly constructed infrastructure, especially in a geographically challenging state, must be addressed. The state’s history of project delays and cost overruns also necessitates rigorous oversight and accountability measures.
Agriculture & Industrial Development
The focus on agriculture and industry, with a specific allocation for promoting organic and indigenous products, is a key feature of the budget. However, the effectiveness of these initiatives depends heavily on market access, support for small farmers, and the development of a robust supply chain. The plans to enhance the state's startup ecosystem are promising, but the actual impact on job creation and economic diversification remains to be seen.
Cultural & Indigenous Affairs
Efforts to promote the state's cultural heritage and indigenous affairs, including constructing cultural centres and promoting GI-tagged products, are positive. However, integrating indigenous communities into the state's broader economic and social frameworks requires more than symbolic gestures. It demands substantive policies that ensure economic benefits reach these communities without compromising their cultural integrity.
Conclusion
The Budget for 2024-25 presents a wide-ranging blueprint for the state's development, focusing on infrastructure, social welfare, and economic growth. However, the success of these plans hinges on addressing systemic challenges, including funding sustainability, effective implementation of social programs, and ensuring that development benefits are equitably distributed. As the state moves forward, critical oversight and adaptive strategies will be crucial in realizing the ambitious vision laid out in this budget.