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Uttarakhand budget to focus on agriculture
Dehradun, Feb 8 (IANS) Despite the inflating non-plan expenditure, Uttarakhand Finance Minister Prakash Pant will present the state budget for the 2019-20 fiscal on February 11 with a focus on agriculture and allied sectors with a challenge to keep revenue and fiscal deficits under the prescribed limits.
“We are trying our best to maintain a balance in the budget. We are committed to the welfare of our farmers and will make provisions in the budget to provide them with extra income,” said Pant, who will present his second straight budget in the state Assembly here.
Pant said he would make provisions so that farmers start getting Rs 6,000 as per the goal set by the Central government in the Interim Budget on February 1. “We are committed to double the income of our farmers,” said Pant.
The Finance Minister said he would maintain a balance in the budget so that revenue and fiscal deficits remain under the prescribed limits of the FRBM Act. “Fiscal prudence is our goal. Let’s see what can be done best for the farmers,” he said.
Top officials in the finance department acknowledged that fiscal prudence can go haywire in the wake of burgeoning non-plan expenditure, especially after the government accepted the key demand of the striking state government employees of hiking housing and various other allowances, which would put an extra burden of Rs 254 crore on the state exchequer.
Earlier this month, nearly 2.5 lakh government employees went on a day’s mass leave on their 10-point charter of demands. Buckling under pressure, the government accepted some of their key demands.
The non-plan expenditure is estimated to be around 75-80 per cent of the state budget’s total expenditure.
But Pant remained positive despite the growing salaries, allowances and pensions, especially after the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission.
“We will present a revenue surplus budget,” he said. Pant managed to present a revenue surplus budget for 2018-19 also.
Non-tax revenue is another challenge for Pant. For the past two decades, successive state governments had tried their best to increase non-tax revenue.
For 2019-20, non-tax revenue may see a slight increase as compared to the budgetary estimate of Rs 12,405.15 crore in the current fiscal.
Experts say the government should also focus on the capital expenditure in the budget. “We will do everything to keep a significant amount for the capital expenditure,” said Pant.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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