Telangana's maiden budget is over Rs.1 lakh cr

Hyderabad, Nov 5: The maiden budget of the 29th state of India, Telangana, was presented Wednesday in the state assembly, proposing an expenditure of Rs.1,00,637 crore during 2014-15. The budget includes a plan expenditure of Rs.48,648 cr and non-plan outlay of Rs.51,989 cr. Finance Minister Etela Rajender presented the tax-free budget, with revenue deficit of at least Rs.17,398 cr. The finance minister said he was proud to present the state's first budget. He said the budget is in tune with the government's dream of a 'golden Telangana'. Announcing the allocation of Rs.100 cr towards financial assistance for the families of those people who had laid down their lives for a separate state, the government has initially identified families of 459 martyrs. Each of the families will get Rs.10 lakh. Some of the highlights include: * Allocation of Rs. 6500 cr for irrigation and command area development. * Government to restore 45,000 irrigation tanks in five years. Of which, 9000 tanks to be restored this year. * Rs. 2000 crore allocated for restoration of irrigation tanks. * 10 % of water in irrigation projects to be diverted for drinking water needs. * To allocate Rs 25,000 cr provide piped drinking water, Rs. 2,000 cr allocated this year. * Health sector gets Rs.2,282 crore. * Rs. 4,250 cr allocated for farmer debt waiver scheme. Loans up to Rs. 1 lakh per family being waived. * Rs. 100 crore provided for farm mechanisation. * 100 % subsidy to SC/ST farmers, 90 % to small and marginal farmers and 80 % to others for setting up drip irrigation projects. Rs. 250 cr provided for this purpose. * Rs. 25 cr allocated to improve education from KG to PG. * Rs. 100 cr provided for one time supply of LPG connections to poor women. * Rs. 1,317 cr allocated for payment of pensions to aged and widows.