Budget 2021- ’22 steers clear of new taxes

Finance Minister Nitin Patel 's budget for Gujarat for financial year 2021-22 has given people a reason to cheer amid the Covid-induced slowdown in the economy and rising prices of fuel and other items. No new taxes have been proposed by the FM for the coming year. The Rs 2,27,029 crore budget outlay is also the highest ever for the State.

Speaking in the Assembly on Wednesday while presenting the budget for the consecutive year, Patel said that the pandemic had adversely affected economic activities in 2020, because of which no new tax or increase in existing tax rates has been proposed.

The overall budget proposal has gone up by Rs 9,742 crore compared to last year, said Patel. He said that it was Rs 587.88 crore surplus, indicating that the state economy was emerging out of the Covid shadow and was on the recovery path.

employment opportunities . Two lakh youths will be given government jobs in next five years.

Additionally, 20 lakh employment opportunities will be created in different sectors like manufacturing, pharmaceutical, energy, tourism, food processing and service sectors. Rs 11,323 crore has been earmarked for health, up from Rs 11,243 crore last year. A special vaccination cell will be set up at the state level to ensure smooth functioning of the vaccination drive. In addition, medical vaccine stores will be set up in eight districts, he said. The budget also proposes recruitment of 1 lakh apprentices under Mukhyamantri Apprentice scheme, with Rs 53 crore earmarked for it.