Budget passed late last year, less time to use it: Yadav

On opposition's allegation that SP government had failed to utilise last year's budget, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said the budget was passed late and the state got less time to spend it.
"The budget was presented on June 1 but was passed in July due to which the state government got only eight months to utilise it. This period included monsoon in which works like construction of roads did not take place," Yadav said in the Assembly.
Opposition had also alleged that SP government had made budget eyeing 2014 polls and was using it to carry forward the party's agenda, to which the chief minister replied it was his job to fulfill promises made in party manifesto.

"I think it's a good thing that we are implementing party's manifesto, which has approval of the people of the state. People have given us majority by accepting our policies and it's our job to fulfill promises made to them," he said.
About 74 per cent of state's budget targeted farmers, poor, women and education and allocation of Rs 900 crore has been made for waiving of farmers loan, he said.
"We have allocated Rs 900 crore for loan waivers of farmers this fiscal and Rs 750 crore in last year. This will be benefiting over eight lakh farmers of the state," Yadav said.

Trying to corner previous BSP government, Yadav said there has been 11.7 per cent increase in state's loan in BSP regime from previous SP government.

"We will be trying to decrease our loans," he said, adding, Rs 13,950 crore has been earmarked for implementation of new schemes including Kanya Vidya Dhan and others.
On neglect of Purvanchal and Bundelkhand regions, Yadav said appropriate allocations have been made in budget of different departments.
He said, "We are going to start medical colleges in Azamgarh and Jhansi. One in Kannauj have already been started". Yadav alleged that cost of these projects had escalated as BSP government had not ensure timely completion.

On concern of a member over rise in cases of cyber crime, Yadav said two specialised units -- one in Agra and other in Lucknow -- are being set up to deal with them.