ASSOCHAM gives thumbs up to Uttar Pradesh budget 

Lucknow: The apex industry body Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) on Friday hailed Uttar Pradesh budget 2016-17 presented in the Vidhan Sabha by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav describing it as ‘pro-farmer and pro-poor’ with due emphasis on social infrastructure including health and education.

“Uttar Pradesh government’s budget for 2016-17 is ‘rural development centric’ and aims at elimination of poverty and unemployment by upgrading agriculture infrastructure, providing job opportunities to rural youth, men and women by developing significant sectors like dairy and fisheries,” said D.S. Rawat, secretary general of the ASSOCHAM.

He said “the state government’s thrust on rural and urban electrification together with providing financial support to power distribution companies, construction and maintenance of roads, growth of housing sector, industrial development, increasing exports, tourism development and other related measures like strengthening law and order also makes it a balanced budget.”

According to Rawat the state government has also laid much-needed emphasis on ensuring welfare of the people belonging to minority communities and backward caste, which is again a very welcome move. "ASSOCHAM also lauds special allocation in budget for development of Bundelkhand region of the state," he added.