Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi on Tuesday said the government would accord due importance to balanced growth of industry and agriculture.
“The infrastructure development in all the regions will be given due importance and more attention will be given to the areas which are found backward. Due importance will be given both for agriculture and industrial sectors in a balanced manner by suitably supporting them.”
Ms. Bedi, who began her address to the 14th Legislative Assembly with a customary quote from Thirukkural, said more priority would be given for capital expenditure without affecting the continuing welfare schemes.
Broad vision
“The aspiration of my government is to achieve the broad vision of all-round development for the betterment of the people for living in a safe, clean, healthy and peaceful environment.”
The Lt. Governor’s speech was punctuated by a few pats on the back for Government- GST implementation, fund utilisation (93%), GSDP and Budget Estimation, Allocation and Monitoring System (BEAMS).
Ms. Bedi said that the Union Territory had extended full cooperation for the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and promotion of Digital (cashless) transaction, which would pave the way for a robust economic growth.
The government has incurred an expenditure of ₹6,144 crore which is 93.80% of the total outlay of ₹6,550 crore. The amount was spent more for the implementation of welfare schemes when compared with the previous year.
“The reduction in expenditure is mainly because of shortfall in UT’s own resources due to factors beyond control and non-receipt of expected additional grant from the Government of India towards implication of the seventh Central Pay Commission,” she said.
The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of the UT has been estimated at ₹29,557.38 crore (current price) for 2016-17 an increase of 11.40% over the previous year figure of ₹26,533.46 crore.
She also pointed out that the per capita income of Puducherry had increased from ₹1,72,143 for the year 2015-2016 to ₹1,90,384 for the year 2016-2017 showing a growth rate of 10.6%.
The government will continue to provide thrust to the development of agriculture with a farmer-centric approach paving the way for sustained improvement in agricultural production, productivity and farmers income. Ms. Bedi said the government had come out with a package of incentives to offset the effects of GST regime and their logistic overheads. This policy will bring result for the betterment of quality of life and creation of more jobs.
