A tax-free and growth-oriented budget for 2003-04 was presented in the Haryana Assembly on Monday.
Presenting his fourth budget, Finance Minister Sampat Singh said it would boost investment in infrastructure, industries and agriculture.
The budget hints at increased financial discipline in the government to achieve growth targets.
The finance minister revealed that the budget proposals during 2003-04 indicate current account surplus of Rs 109.57 crore (Rs 1.09 billion) with the financial year to close with a deficit of Rs 670.96 crore (Rs 6.70 billion).
The minister expected to cover the budget deficit by way of measures of revenue augmentation, increased share in central devolution, and inherent buoyancy in the state's economy.
Referring to the Plan allocations for the next year, Singh announced a State plan outlay of Rs 2,100 crore (Rs 21 billion) with focus on development of economic and social infrastructure.
An investment of Rs 911 crore (Rs 9.11 billion), about 44 per cent of the total outlay, would improve infrastructure in the power, irrigation, roads and transport sectors.
The finance minister said budgetary support of Rs 1,216.99 crore (Rs 12.169 billion) had been provided for the power sector for next year.
The irrigation sector has been allocated total outlay of Rs 767.25 crore (Rs 7.672 billion) with emphasis on water conservation and its management.
Singh assured that the state government was making all efforts to get the Punjab portion of the Sutluj-Yamuna Link Canal completed at the earliest.
He said the state government had taken up the matter with the central government to get the canal completed through a central agency.
Due to improvement in operational efficiency the profit of transport department has increased to Rs 105 crore (Rs 1.05 billion) from Rs 26 crore (Rs 260 million) last year.
The finance minister said a provision of Rs 569.97 crore (Rs 5.699 billion) had been made for road network and 60 kms of new roads would be constructed and 3,000 kms of road length improved during next year.
A total provision of Rs 1,881.04 crore (Rs 18.81 billion) had been earmarked for expansion of education including technical education.
The scheme of Sarva Shikha Abhiyan, at present, being implemented in 16 districts would be extended to the remaining three districts during next year.
He said the Post-Graduate Regional Centre in Sirsa had been upgraded as university in the memory of Ch. Devi Lal and further setting up of Ch. Devi Lal Memorial Engineering College at Panniwala Mota in Distt. Sirsa at a cost of Rs 36.25 crore (Rs 362.5 million)
He disclosed that the health services in the state would be expanded with a total investment of Rs 409.47 crore (Rs 4.094 billion).
The sector investment programme financed by the European Commission was being implemented in the state for bringing reforms in health services.
