Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Brief summary of the State Budgets

Brief summary of the State Budgets
The state governments have announced their annual Budgets 2018-19 making allocations in important areas relating to socio-economic welfare. A summary of the state budget highlights is given below:
                                                             
1.         Jammu & Kashmir
The budget of Jammu and Kashmir 2018-19 has been designed in order to promote all round development in the state. Various reforms have been set for meaningful public policy interventions. The fiscal deficit previously estimated at around 9.5 % has actually turned out to be around 5.7%. The state government will provide freight subsidy to the industrial units located in the State and transporting their manufactured goods beyond 1000 kilometres outside the state. The government will also make available refund of SGST to all the industrial units, which were hitherto eligible for VAT exemption.
2.         Himachal Pradesh
The budget of Himachal Pradesh 2018-19 has been designed to in order to promote an all inclusive growth. The major focus of the state budget is on infrastructure, education, health care, crops relief, irrigation, renewable energy among others. The state government has allocated Rs 50 crore under Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana. In the education sector the state government announced that school bags will be provided to the students of 1st, 3rd, 6th and 9th class under the ‘Atal Vardi Yojna’. Skill Development Scheme has been given an allowance of Rs 100 crore. Grant-in-aid of Rs 110 crore will be given to the Himachal Pradesh University.
3.         Haryana
The budget of Haryana 2018-19 ushers in a new era of balanced growth. The state majorly is focusing on raising expenditure in key sectors, including farm, education, health, industry, skill development and infrastructure. The budget proposed to reduce the rate of value added tax on sale of natural gas from 12.5% to 6%. The state government has proposed a budget of Rs. 1,15,198.29 crore. The state government has not proposed any new tax for 2018-19. The state government has proposed to allocate Rs 100 crore, for the construction of Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. The government has proposed an outlay of Rs. 3,222.21 crore for irrigation and water resources in 2018-19. For health and family the government has proposed to allocate Rs. 4,769.61 crore in 2018-19. A total outlay of Rs. 13,978.22 crore for education (Elementary, Secondary and Higher Education) in BE 2018-19 has been proposed.
4.         Gujarat
The state budget of Gujarat 2018-19 has focused on farmer welfare, agriculture, youth employment, irrigation, water supply, social justice, education, health, nutrition, traffic management and infrastructure. The budget size for FY 2018-19 is Rs 1,83,666 crore. The state government has proposed a total provision of Rs. 6755 crore for agriculture, co-operative and farmer welfare department, in which a provision of Rs.1101 crore for Pradhanmantri, Fasal Bima Yojana, farmer accident insurance, price stabilization etc has been allocated in order to cope with the risks of agriculture.
5.         Chhattisgarh
The budget of Chhattisgarh 2018-19 has focused on welfare of farmers, development of agricultural sector, prosperity of labourers and the poor, female empowerment, welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, rural development, infrastructure and good governance. A major provision of Rs 13,480 crores had been made for the agriculture sector, Six new agricultural colleges would be set up at Jashpur, Korba, Chhuikhadan, Kurud, Gariaband and Mahasamund. For promotion of agricultural graduates to become entrepreneurs, new scheme called “Chalo Gaun Ki Or” has been launched through agriculture university.
6.         Punjab
The budget of Punjab 2018-19 has focused on the farmers of the state as the policies on agriculture and rural economy have been centered only and only on the welfare of farmers. The state government is committed to providing free power to the farmers and for this purpose an allocation of Rs. 6256 crore has been provided. The state government has allocated Rs. 400 crore to Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY), in order to draw up and execute a comprehensive agriculture development plan taking into account the agro-climatic conditions, natural resources and technology so as to ensure an inclusive and integrated development of agriculture and allied services. An allocation of Rs. 25 crore is proposed for support to extension services (ATMA), and Rs. 10 crore for National Food Security Mission (NFSM).  A fish Brood Bank and hatcheries in private sector will be established in order to give boost to the fish seed production.
7.         Madhya Pradesh
The budget of Madhya Pradesh 2018-19 has majorly focused on agriculture, health, education and employment sectors. A provision of Rs. 37,498 crore has been laid for Krishi budget. Under Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme an amount of Rs. 2000 crore has been allocated. Rs. 1158 crore has been allocated for horticulture department and Rs. 300 crore has been allocated for Micro Irrigation Scheme under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.
8.         Andhra Pradesh
The state budget of Andhra Pradesh 2018-19 has focused on increased allocation towards socio-economic development of the farmers, healthcare and towards establishing a knowledge economy by introducing the latest technology to educational pedagogies. The state government has proposed an expenditure of Rs. 1,91,063.61 crore, with revenue expenditure estimated at Rs. 1,50,271.99 crore and capital expenditure estimated at around Rs. 28,678.49 crore (which includes Rs. 9,351.15 crore towards principal repayment of Public Debt).
9.         Kerala
The state budget 2018-19 has focused on austerity measures to control deficit and at the same time growth and development in the state. A package of Rs. 2000 crore is announced for coastal area. The Disaster Management Authority has developed a satellite information and communication system linking all fishing vessels and coastal villages with a cost of Rs.100 crore. Free Wi-Fi connectivity will be made available at every public centre in coastal villages. The state government has embarked Rs.954 crore as food subsidy in the budget.  Rs.31 crore is specifically allocated for implementing the Food Security Act. This is mainly for renovation of ration outlets and e-governance. Rs.6 crore is allocated for Council for Food Research and Development.
10.       Arunachal Pradesh

The budget of Arunachal Pradesh 2018-19 puts thrust on seven key areas including education, skill development, health, governance reforms, IT and infrastructure. The state government has established a state wide area network for GST implementation through IT department and a sum of Rs. 10 crore has been allocated for this purpose. The state government has launched a new scheme “Chief Minister’s Samast Shiksha Yojana” with a total allocation of Rs. 100 crore for establishing a District Level Education Society. The government has proposed with an additional resource of Rs. 1000 per month and earmark an allocation of Rs. 7 crore for the purpose of mid day meal scheme. Under the scheme Acharya Dronacharya Gurukul Yojana the state government has allocated a total of Rs. 15 crore.
11.       West Bengal
The budget of West Bengal 2018-19 has laid emphasis on more welfare schemes for farmers, low income group and women. The state government has announced projects worth Rs. 12,000 crore in order to provide further fillip to the creation of infrastructure in the form of roads, bridges, flyovers, drinking water, power etc. The state government has sanctioned over 3.68 lakhs houses under the Grameen Awaas Yojna. The budget for ‘free treatment for all’ has been increased from Rs. 292.16 crore in 2011-12 to Rs. 857.83 crore in 2017-18. The state government has allocated Rs. 2766 crores to agricultural marketing department and Rs. 339 crores.
12.       Delhi
The budget of Delhi 2018-19 is centered on issues related to education, health, electricity, transport including Delhi metro and the pollution menace. The total Budget Estimates for the year 2018-19 is proposed at Rs.53,000 crore. The state government has allocated an amount of Rs. 638 crore for all Local Bodies for various schemes / programmes, specially, in Health and Education sectors. The state government presented its first Green budget for effective containment of pollution in the city. The government has shortlisted 26 separate programmes and projects proposed by 4 departments under Delhi Government – Transport, Power, Environment and PWD for devising a unified system of pollution control, bringing down levels of different pollutants.
13.       Assam
The budget of Assam 2018-19 has focused on education, health, infrastructure among others. The state budget has three strands – “EKATRIKARAN’ – consolidation of the policies we have announced and the work we have undertaken in the last two years; “XOMPROXARON”- Expansion and scaling up the ambitions of some of our existing programmes and “UTTORON” – raising the standards of our pursuance. The state government has allocated Ra 1890 crore for bridge over Brahmaputra connecting Panbazar with North Guwahati. The state government plans to set up 10 new law colleges, ten new B.Ed colleges, 9 new women colleges, 3 new polytechnic and a new medical college. To promote skill development in the state, the state government is setting up a Mega Skill City in partnership with ITEES Singapore, to provide globally relevant employment skills to the youths of Assam. Rs. 18 crore separately for the setting up of the Mega Skill City and its associated activities has been embarked upon.
14.       Bihar

The budget of Bihar 2018-19 has majorly focused on villages, health, education and agriculture sector.The estimated revenue for the year 2018-19 is Rs 1,580, 52 crores. The Government of Bihar has been allocated a budget of Rs. 153.45 crores in order to promote tourism. The state Government has allocated Rs. 1 lakh to women in this budget and 10,000 students will be provided with solar lights. Rs. 862.21 crores for the state government revenue and land reform, Rs. 4413.58 crores have been provided for city development. Rs. 622.04 crores has been allocated for Department of Industry, Rs.677.15 crores for disaster management, Rs. 10,188 crores for social welfare, Rs. 10.257.66 crores for electricity and Rs. 30 crores for temples.
15.       Jharkhand
The budget of Jharkhand 2018-19 is focused on five core areas including doubling the income of the people living in the rural area, creating employment opportunities, development of SC/ST, women empowerment, all round development of backward districts. Apart from this the focus has also been accorded to education, health, nutrition and basic infrastructure, drinking water supply scheme, urban development, linking the villages with roads and providing electricity in every home.
16.       Rajasthan

The budget of Rajasthan 2018-19 focuses on rural infrastructure with a focus on health, education and social sector schemes like pension, insurance. The state government has estimated total revenue receipts of Rs. 151663.5 crore for the year 2018-19. The state government has allocated Rs. 766 crore for construction of roads under the Grammin Gaurav Path Yojana and Missing Link Yojana. Rs. 800 crore has been allocated for upgradation and renewal of 5,000kms of rural roads.
17.       Uttar Pradesh
The budget of Uttar Pradesh 2018-19 is in the interest of all sections of the society, majorly focusing on farmers, artisans, youth, infrastructure and urban development. The state government will also focus on MSME, roads and power. The budget outlay for this year stands at over Rs 4,28,384.52 crore.
                                                                Budgets at a glance                                           (in Rs. Crore)
S. No.
States
Estimated Revenue
Estimated Expenditure
1
Andhra Pradesh
191060
191064
2
Arunachal Pradesh
19261.30
NA
3
Assam
4
Bihar
181255.34
176990.27
5
Chhattisgarh
83096.13
83179.26
6
Delhi
53000
53000
7
Gujarat
177728
181945
8
Haryana
102732.54
102732.54
9
Himachal Pradesh
38165
41439.93
10
Jammu & Kashmir
64269
80313
11
Jharkhand
80200
80200
12
Kerala
127018
127093
13
Madhya Pradesh
186699
186685
14
 Punjab
122922.58
129697.63
15
Rajasthan
212325.11
212274.65
16
Uttar Pradesh
420899
428385
17
West Bengal
195826
195829
      PHD Research Bureau, compiled from state budget documents 2018-19

To sum up, majorly all the states have kept the interest of the general public in consideration and have laid focus on uplifting social infrastructure. Social infrastructure is the backbone of every state’s economy and a systematic approach towards uplifting the socio-economic standards at the grass root level will definitely put states’ growth on a higher trajectory in the coming times.

Manufacturing Jobs : Implications for Productivity and Inequality 

Brooking India panel discussion on Manufacturing Jobs.Implications for productivity and Inequality.
received_10160371317270008
Manufacturing Jobs : Implications for Productivity and Inequality
Productivity tended to slow as resources switch from manufacturing to service.Baumol 1967.
less skilled workers traditionally earned higher wages in manufacturing than in service.Helper Krueger Wial 2012.
Policy priorities
Remove barriers to entry and trade in services.
Skill development.
Reforms to boost productivity in all sectors.
Increase tradability of services and skill development are key to manufacturing, productivity and cross country productivity convergence in several market industrie give inertia.
Structual changes since 2000 has given momentum to boost economy -wide productivity growth in Emerging development economies -EMDEs.

Nushrat Bhraucha Graced the Ramp

Bharucha Graced the Ramp for Designer Kavita Aggarwal
   The beautiful actress of B’town industry Nushrat Bharucha sizzled the ramp for designer Kavita Aggarwal and look beautiful in designer’s outfit for the 10th season of India Runway Fashion Week held in DLF place Saket, New Delhi.
   Kavita Aggarwal’s collection was Ode to Pietra Dura an ancient decorative art form, often referred to as ‘paintings in stone’, Pietra Dura was once fostered by kingdoms as far apart in time and location as Romans and Moghuls. Her bridal collection is a tribute to Pietra Dura’s vivacity and a captivating look into the new application for this age-old art form.
   The embroidery in her ensembles is a replication of Pietra Dura motifs – not so much in technique as in aesthetics. As crossover fashion doesn’t merely adorn a wearer, it transforms her, she dedicates this Indo-western fusion to the modern Indian woman, who is rooted in traditions, yet open to fresh explorations.

Van struck killed nine in Toronto

Sagar Media Inc
Van rammed into pedestrainers with southwards direction with high speeds mowing scores of people killing nine people and dozen injured in the city of Toronto policed said in media briefing.Furthet said one person is in coutody and investigation  are neing done to find  if it is an accodent or attack.
Nine people have been killed and 16 more are injured after a white van struck a number of pedestrians in Toronto, police said.
The incident on Yonge Street and Finch Avenue East occurred just after 1 pm local time. The Toronto Police Department said in a press conference shortly before 5pm local time that nine people have been killed and more than a dozen others are injured.
Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital said five of the injured are in a critical condition and another two are in a serious condition. The hospital said on Twitter that its emergency department is on lockdown as an “added precaution.”
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Police say they have one person in custody. The investigation is ongoing and the police are appealing to eyewitnesses to come forward..
Eyewitness Alex Shaker told CTV Newsthat the van mounted the curb at high speed before travelling southbound.
“He started going down on the sidewalk and crumbling down people one by one,” Shaker said.
Bystanders have posted images on social media showing the aftermath and a number of emergency vehicles attending the scene of the incident.
Media Agencies.

Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to the son.

Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace
@KensingtonRoyal
·
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101hrs. The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.
The Royal Family
The Royal Family
@RoyalFamily
·
A notice has been placed on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace following the announcement of the birth of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s third child. @KensingtonRoyal
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Film, “Hamari Paltan”

Hamari Paltan: the last film of veteran actor Tom Alter, all set to release on 27th April
   The veteran actor who will be remembered for his brilliant acting, Tom Alter will be seen in his last feature film Hamari Paltan. The film will release on 27th April. Directed and written by Jainendra Jigyasu. It will be the last feature film where Tom Alter will be seen on the big screen.
   As per the sources revealed, everyone’s beloved Tom was totally impressed by the theme of the film. The winner of Padma Shri awards Tom Alter, who was stereotyped as the perennial British man in Bollywood will be seen as one of the pivotal roles in the film.
   Well, Movie revolves around children from two separate backgrounds, who become friends through the game. These kids start a movement by getting inspired by a retired professor.
   The movie also showcase some brilliant performances by Late Tom alter, Manoj Bakshi, along with some Exceptionally Talented child actors as well. This movie is a humble attempt towards creating awareness about environment protection and the importance of natural resources, through the means of entertainment

Manufacturing Job: Implication for Productivity and Inequality

received_10160371317270008
Productivity tended to slow as resources switch  from manufacturing to service.Baumol 1967.
less skilled workers traditionally earned jigher wages in manufacturing than in service.Helper Krueger Wial 2012.
Policy priorities
Remove barriers to entry and trade in services.
Skill development.
Reforms to boost productivity in all sectors.
Increase tradability  of services and skill development are key to manufacturing,  productivity and cross country productivity convergence in several market industrie give inertia.
Structual changes since 2000 has given momentum to boost economy -wide productivity growth in Emerging development economies -EMDEs.

Gunman kills four in Nashville.

Four people have been killed and at least three others wounded following a shooting at a Waffle House in Nashville, Tennessee. A shooter opened fired at about 3:30am local time at the Waffle House on Murfreesboro Pike in Antioch. Witnesses described the gun as an AR-15. A customer managed to take the rifle from the man, who was reportedly naked under his green jacket at the time. Police continue to search for the suspect. At least one of the wounded is in critical condition.

Peace in Korean Peninsula move

South Korea has stopped its cross-border propaganda broadcasts to the north, to harmonize with the growing atmosphere of “peace,” after Pyongyang announced a freeze of its nuclear and ballistic programs, ahead of a rare high-level inter-Korean summit this week. “We hope this decision will lead both Koreas to stop mutual criticism and propaganda against each other and also contribute in creating peace and a new beginning,” South Korea’s defense ministry said in a statement.
On Saturday, Pyongyang announced that it was suspending any further nuclear and missile tests and scrapping its nuclear test site, in order to focus on pursuing economic growth.
US President Donald Trump, who is due to meet with Kim Jong-un, welcomed the move, but emphasized that it was “a long way from conclusion” and more concessions will be required.

Attacker in Paris get 20 yrs Jail

Belgian judge has sentenced Salah Abdeslam, the prime surviving suspect in the 2015 Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) attacks in Paris, to 20 years in prison over a shootout with police in Brussels in 2016, Media  reports.
Abdeslam’s co-defendant, Sofien Ayari, also received on Monday a 20-year sentence for attempted terrorist murder. The lawyer argued that Abdeslam, 28, should be acquitted because of a procedural error.
Prosecutors had charged him with attempted murder over the Brussels shootout in March 2016, days before his arrest, and called for a sentence of 20 years.

France passes bill to tighten migration process

French National Assembly has approved a controversial bill aimed at tackling illegal migration into the country. The legislation, passed on Sunday by 228 to 139 votes, seeks to double the time illegals may be detained by authorities.
The legislature further aims to shorten the deadlines for asylum applications, as well as to introduce jail time and heavy fines for those who illegally cross the border into France. Migration remains a controversial topic in France, which received roughly 100,000 asylum applications last year.
The government argues that more controls are needed to balance the rise of anti-immigration populist parties, the right-wing opposition maintains that the bill is too soft on migrants. Left-wing parties and NGOs view the legislation as repressive. Before President Emmanuel Macron can sign off on the bill, the text has yet to be debated by the Senate in June.

Competitiveness, climate, security Finn’s priorities Ministry of Finance release Finnish road map of EU presidency. Finland i...