Puducherry CM presents 10,696-crore rupee budget for 2022-23

Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, who is also holding the Finance portfolio, presented a 10,696-crore rupee budget for 2022-23 in the territorial Assembly today. Presenting the NDA Government’s 2nd budget, Chief Minister Rengasamy said that the allocation of expenditure is proposed to be 8,675.65 crore rupees under the Revenue head and 2020.96 crore rupees under the capital head.

Out of the total receipts, Union Territory’s own revenue receipts is estimated at 6667.23 crore rupees. The Central assistance will be 1729.77 crore rupees, with an additional 20 crore rupees from the Central Road Fund and 500 crore rupees allocation under Centrally sponsored schemes, he said.

The fiscal deficit will be overcome through borrowings, with the Government of India permitting borrowings to the extent of 1,889.61 crore rupees. The total outstanding debt of the Union Territory of a Puducherry as on 31st March 2022 is 9,859.20 crore rupees added.

The Chief Minister made various announcements in the budget. Under Smart City Mission, various development works are being taken up for which estimate amounting 1,828 crore rupees has been prepared and approval of the Government of India has been obtained. With the continuous efforts of the Labour Department, so far one lakh 75 thousand 761 unorganized workers have registered with e-SHRAM portal.

The Chief Minister also announced various schemes proposed to implement including provision of free laptops to 11th and 12th standard students studying in government and government aided schools in a phased manner, re-implement distribution of free bicycle scheme to students studying in 9th Standard in government and government-aided schools, provision of 1,000 rupees as financial assistance to women(head of the family) between 21 and 55 years of age living Below Poverty Line and regularisation of the service of employees working in government and government institutions for more than 10 years.