The Madhya Pradesh government will present the budget for the financial year 2024-25 on March 12. It is expected to include the announcement of 1 lakh new government jobs, the construction of over 6 lakh houses for the poor, and the launch of the Chief Minister's Farmer Promotion Scheme.
1 Lakh New Government Jobs
According to government sources, more than 81,000 government department positions are vacant. The state government plans to fill these vacancies and make an announcement about filling 1 lakh government jobs. Among these, approximately 24,500 positions will be filled in the School Education Department, and about 20,000 in the Police Department.
Farmer Welfare and Chief Minister's Farmer Promotion Scheme
The government is likely to announce the Chief Minister's Farmer Promotion Scheme. Under this scheme, a bonus of Rs 4,000 per hectare could be provided for paddy, and Rs 175 per quintal for wheat. Additionally, there are plans to offer short-term loans worth Rs 600 crore to farmers. Solar energy pumps and PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras will also be established in every village.
6 Lakh Houses for the Poor
The state government plans to construct around 6 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in the upcoming year. This includes 4 lakh houses in rural areas and 1.5 lakh houses in urban areas. Over the next three years, the goal is to build 12 lakh houses at a cost of Rs 23,275 crore.
Focus on Women, Youth, and Social Welfare
The budget will focus on initiatives for women, youth, and the economically disadvantaged. The Lakhpati Didi scheme, which aims to empower women, will expand its coverage to include 15 lakh women. Additionally, the Ladli Behan Yojana will continue, transferring Rs 1,250 to the bank accounts of over 1 crore women in the state every month.
New IT Parks and Sports Stadiums
The budget is expected to include the establishment of new IT parks in Indore, Ujjain, and Rewa, and the construction of sports stadiums in all 55 districts. Moreover, the government will continue to invest in skill development and vocational training initiatives.
Increased Dearness Allowance and Staff Benefits
In the new budget, the dearness allowance for government employees is likely to increase by 14%. Additionally, provisions will be made for a 4% annual increase in the salaries of contractual staff. The government will also focus on social welfare projects and provide financial support through initiatives like the Social Impact Bond (SIB), with a provision of Rs 20 crore.
MP's Share of Central Taxes
Madhya Pradesh is expected to receive Rs 1.60 lakh crore from the central government as part of its share of central taxes. This amount is an increase from the Rs 95,753 crore the state received in the previous financial year.
Changes in the Commonwealth Games Federation
On March 10, the Commonwealth Games Federation announced its name change to 'Commonwealth Sport.' This change marks a shift towards transforming the organization from a sports federation to a broader sports movement.