HP Budget is realistic and pro people: Suresh Bhardwaj

Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj on Friday hailed the budget presented today by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. He said that the budget has provision for urban job guarantee scheme and Himachal will be the first state in the country to enact MNREGA like law for urban area.

Suresh Bhardwaj who also holds the charge of Cooperation Minister, said that the budget is realistic and pro people. This is a realistic budget. Every section of the society will be benefitted with the budget.

Urban Development Minister said that the state government has been working for the betterment of all sections of the society without any discrimination. Elaborating about urban development and cooperation departments he said that Mukhya Mantri Urban Livelihood Guarantee Scheme was launched in 2020 to provide employment to urban youth during the Covid-19 Pandemic. This scheme will be continued in 2022-23 with budgetary allocation of Rs. 5 crore. A bill providing guaranteed employment in urban areas will be introduced in current budget session

He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah have envisioned development of rural areas especially agriculture sector through cooperatives. Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are being set up to provide direct linkage for farmers to the market. Union government has a target to set up 10,000 FPOs across the country.

Suresh Bhardwaj said that the budget presented by Chief Minister has provision for setting up FPOs in the state. These FPOs are an effective platform for small and marginal farmers to sell their produce at a better price. Total 20 FPOs will be established in 2022-23 out of which 10 will relate to natural farming. In addition, one FPO each will be established in every Development Block of the State in the Cooperation sector. The Cooperation department will provide financial and technical assistance to these FPOs.