Finance Minister of Uttrakhand Indira Hridayesh on 20 March 2013 presented the State Budget 2013-14 a total plan outlay of 25329.84 crore rupees in the State Assembly. The Finance Minister of the state introduced no new taxes in the new State Budget.
• An estimation of receipts of about 24940 crore rupees in 2013-14 was made against 21043 crore rupees in 2012-13, which showcased an increase of 18.52 percent.
• The expenditure estimation for 2013-14 was proposed to be 25329 crore rupees against 21931 crore rupees in 2012-13, showing an increase of 15.49 per cent.
Highlights of Budget 2013-14
Receipts
• Revenue receipts of 8955.72 crore rupees is estimated in 2013-14 against the budgetary estimates of 16158.95 crore rupees in 2012-13 and with an increase of 17.31 percent.
• Total tax revenue receipts in 2013-14 is estimated to be 11007.81 crore rupees against budgetary estimates of 9368.71 crore rupees in 2012-13, showcased an increase of 17.50 percent.
• Capital receipts of 5984.59 crore rupees is estimated in 2013-14 against budgetary estimates of 4884.10 crore rupees in 2012-13 and showcased an increase of 22.53 percent. Against capital receipts, 5300 crore rupees 4766 crore rupees in 2012-13.
• Total receipts in 2013-14 are estimated to be 24940.32 crore rupees against 21043.05 crore rupees in 2012-13, showing an increase of 18.52 percent.
Expenditure
• Total expenditure in 2013-14 is estimated to be 25329.84 crore rupees against 21931.77 crore rupees in 2012-13, showing an increase of 15.49 percent.
• Non-Plan expenditure in 2013-14 is estimated to be 16619.46 crore rupees, which is 65.61 percent of total expenditure. This shows an increase of 11.67 percent against budgetary estimates of 14882.81 crore rupees in 2012-13.
• Plan expenditure is estimated to be 8710.38 crore rupees in 2013-14 as against budgetary estimates of 7048.97 crore rupees in 2012-13, showing an increase of 23.57 percent.
• Capital expenditure is estimated to be 7275.64 crore rupees in 2013-14 as against budgetary estimates of 6214.66 crore rupees in 2012-13, showing an increase of 17.07 percent.
• Interest payment during 2013-14 is estimated to be 2540.85 crore rupees as against 2025 crore rupees in 2012-13, showing an increase of 25.47 percent.
• Pension expenditure is estimated to be 1989.55 crore rupees in 2013-14 as against 1439.80 crore rupees in 2012-13, showing an increase of 38.18 percent.
• Loan repayment has been estimated at 2152.79 crore rupees in 2013-14 as against 2297.13 crore rupees in 2012-13 showing a decrease of 6.28 percent.
• Salary expenditure in 2013-14 has been estimated at 7846.95 crore rupees as against 6913.50 crore rupees in 2012-13. This shows an increase of 13.50 percent.
Fiscal Indicators
• Revenue surplus budget of 901.52 crore rupees has been estimated, which is in conformity of FRBM Act targets. This means total revenue expenditure of the State Government is estimated to be less than the estimated revenue receipts.
• Fiscal deficit has been estimated to the turn of 3536.74 crore rupees, which is 2.92 percent of GSDP. This is well within the FRBM target of 3 percent.
Tax concessions
• Colours of Holi and Pichkaries will be exempted from VAT.
• To empower women in property matters, stamp duty exemption of 25 percent will be given up to 30 lakhs rupees (an increase from the earlier amount of 20 lakhs rupees).
• Stamp duty is proposed to be reduced from present 2 percent to 1 percent in cases of gift deeds in favour of family members.
• Stamp duty exemption of 25percent in case of property transfers to disabled persons will be enhanced from 5 lakhs rupees to 10 lakhs rupees.
• VAT rate of wire crates used for disaster prevention and flood protection works is proposed to be reduced from 13.5 percent to 5 percent.
• To encourage I.T related industries tax concession against form C will be extended till 31st March 2015 or implementation of GST.
• To encourage tourism in the State, Luxury tax will not be imposed on Spa activities.
• To give facility to hotel industry, assessment related to luxury tax will be done annually instead of half-yearly.
• To give facility to trade and industry it is proposed that form C and H will be downloaded from the departmental web site, for which no fees is to be paid.
• For the facility of industry, the monetary limit of 5 lakh rupees on form XI under VAT rules is proposed to be abolished.
• To encourage fruit producers, VAT on fruit wine will be reduced from 32.5 percent to 5 percent.
Other Highlights
• Gender Budgeting is being done in Uttrakhand to ensure sufficient focus on women centric scheme, with the ultimate objective of women’s empowerment. Gender Budget for 2013-14 has a provision of 3262 crores rupees, which is 46 percent higher than financial year 2012-13.
• To ensure security of women and speedy police action, State Women’s Security Cell is being set up at state level and Women’s Security Cells in every district
• For development of infrastructure facilities in SC majority areas a provision of 50 crore rupees has been included which is in addition to the other specific departmental schemes. A total provision of 946.69 crore rupees has been included under SC sub plan in 2013-14 as against the budgetary estimates of 794.50 crore rupees in 2012-13, showing an increase of 19.69 percent.
• For the welfare of minorities, 75 crore rupees has been provided in the budget 2013-14, an increase of 127 percent against financial year 2012-13.
• Provision of 40 crore rupees has been made under National Fruits Processing Mission to increase fruits processing schemes in the State.
• Despite fiscal stress, the State government has increased provision in major departments for public good
a) Education- From 4321 crore rupees in 2012-13 to 4875 crore rupees
b) Health– From 996 crore rupees in 2012-13 to 1209 crore rupees
c) Roads– From 1167 crore rupees in 2012-13 to 1314 crore rupees
d) Drinking Water– From 429 crore rupees in 2012-13 to 588 crore rupees
e) Welfare Schemes– From 1000 crore rupees in 2012-13 to 1237 crore rupees
f) Agriculture and Allied– About 3400 crore rupees.
GK Aaj Tak 