MP presents Rs 4,281-cr third adjunct budget

Rs 695 crore for frost-hit farmers.

With a budgetary appropriation of Rs 496 crore and additional grant of Rs 200 crore to compensate frost-hit farmers, the state government on Thursday presented third adjunct budget of Rs 4,128 crore for 2010-11 in the state Assembly amid debate over the state Budget 2011-12.

The state after receiving an advance installment of Rs 224 crore from the Centre for 2011-12 proposed to chip in an amount of Rs 77.32 crore as the state’s share in the frost-hit relief package, and made an appropriation of Rs 495.84 crore to compensate farmers whose crops have been hit by frost and hail-storm. Further, the government also proposed another amount of Rs 200 crore; thereby Rs 695.84 crore has now been allocated for frost-relief.

However, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government is facing criticism from the main Opposition Congress that no frost-hit farmer in the state has been compensated so far. The state sought Rs 2,400 crore from the Central government but the Centre has turned down the state chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s demand to compensate the state on grounds that “frost” does not fall under the natural calamity category. However, the revenue department is yet to survey and assess the rabi crop losses.

While presenting the third supplementary Budget, state finance minister Raghavji on Thurd proposed to allocate Rs 1 crore for Bhopal gas relief for roads and building maintenance, Rs 198.9 crore for book adjustment of share cost of state share in Sardar Sarovar project, Rs 1,381 crore for various loans of Madhya Pradesh Power distribution companies, Rs 98.8 crore for tribal welfare and Rs 50 crore for creation of urban infrastructure.

The Budgetary proposals also demanded Rs 10 crore for state’s share as contribution to the Central allocation of an equal amount for infrastructure creation at various tourist destinations, Rs 12 crore for publicity, Rs 135 crore for various irrigation projects and Rs 85 crore for school education purposes.