The BJP has got a lot of relief as the way to save this biggest and important pressure group of voters in its favor has been paved. Apart from this, Uttarakhand is sure to get the benefit of the commitment shown by the central government in the budget regarding tourism development and MSME sector. Being a double engine government, Uttarakhand had great expectations from the budget for the financial year 2023-24 and it can be said that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has given a big opportunity to the Dhami government in this regard.
There are Lok Sabha elections next year and the challenge before the BJP in Uttarakhand is to repeat the performance of the last two Lok Sabha elections. In the years 2014 and 2019, the BJP had won all the five seats in the state. In such a situation, this was the last full budget before the elections, in which the provisions included have put the BJP ruled states in a convenient position.
The number of government and private sector employees in Uttarakhand is more than six to seven lakhs. This section will get direct benefit by increasing the income tax exemption limit. The Congress does not miss any opportunity to mobilize government employees against the BJP government. These days, the Congress is engaged in formulating a strategy to siege the state government regarding the old pension scheme.
The BJP government and the organization have been trying to ensure that the working class does not side with the Congress and the new provision of income tax exemption in the budget can fulfill its intention to a large extent. Especially in the perspective of the Lok Sabha elections to be held next year, it can be said that at present, the BJP is now in a position to make an edge over the Congress on this front.
Uttarakhand will get direct benefit from the vision presented by the government regarding tourism development in the Union budget. Tourism is a major source of revenue for Uttarakhand. Char Dham all-weather road project, Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project and ropeway projects are already under construction in the state. Tourism development in Uttarakhand has been a priority of the Central Government anyway.
Now Uttarakhand fully lives up to the concept of the new scheme, ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, which has been announced in the budget. The whole country cannot be seen from the point of view of tourism without seeing the border area here. With the implementation of this new scheme, there is bound to be an increase in revenue and employment opportunities. Taking tourism forward in mission mode will strengthen the possibilities of development of new tourist places in the state.
In the budget, the government has shown a lot of generosity towards the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. From the political point of view, the industry is going to get relief from the government’s steps to encourage MSMEs, which will help the BJP in the next year’s Lok Sabha elections, both directly and indirectly.
Anyway, there is a lot of potential for the development of the MSME sector in Uttarakhand. If there is an increase in investment in this sector in the state, it will provide strength to the BJP government both in terms of economy and employment generation.
The availability of employment opportunities will surely attract the unemployed youth. Similarly, some tempting schemes for women are also mentioned in the budget, in the event of their implementation, the state government will get the benefit. Overall, the budget provisions made for the employees, youth and women have made the 2024 battle easier for the BJP.
BJP State President, Mahendra Bhatt said that the general budget is the resolution of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a self-reliant India. The announcement of tax slabs and increase in income tax exemption has brought a smile on the face of the middle class. A separate provision in the budget for the development of border areas and tourism in the Himalayan region will strengthen the economy of the state.
