Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi here today described the government proposal to add 55 new 'prant' offices to 44 existing ones as a historic decision for decentralization of administration.
Commenting on the Gujarat's annual budget for financial year 2011-12, he said that it is part of the state's process of planning from the 'taluka' level upwards. The project 'Aapno Taluka – Vibrant Taluka' has over the years earned the state the sobriquet of a 'model' for the nation.
He said the objective is to create awareness about various government schemes, involve people living in faraway villages in the process of planning and to ensure the development of each taluka. It should create a healthy competition among the talukas and result in early solution to people's problems, too.
While Rs.600-crore has been earmarked for the purpose during the new budget, he said, another Rs.2,700-crore has been allotted for the next four years.
Describing the other budget proposals as forward-looking for all round development of the state with far reaching results, he said that ten 'Daytime Model Schools' proposed to be started during the year as a pilot project is a unique experiment for qualitative improvement of education in remote areas.
He said integrating the 'Mission Mangalam' project with 'sakhi mandals' is for women's empowerment. Another new proposal is for skill development of the rural youth to make them employable.
The Chief Minister said allocating Rs.13,000-crore for agriculture, irrigation and village development, and Rs.15,000-crore for social services should take state attain higher Human Development Index, with improvement in the lifestyle of dalits, scheduled castes and tribes and other backward classes.
He expressed satisfaction at Gujarat surpassing its Eleventh Five Year Plan allocation of Rs.111,111-crore, taking it to Rs.127,000-crore, made possible due to financial management and financial discipline.
Complete text of Finance Minister's speech - Gujarat Budget 2011-12
