New Delhi: The Defence sector has got around seven per cent more in Union Budget 2021 with compare to last allocation.

The Defence allocation has been given Rs 7 ,000 crore to Rs 4.78 lakh crore in 2021-22 from Rs 4.71 lakh crore in 2020-21.

Out of 4.78 lakh crore, Rs 3.38 lakh crore will be revenue expenditure, including defence pensions and remaining 1.40 lakh crore would be capital expenditure.

Excluding defence pensions, the allocation this year stands at Rs 3.63 lakh crore, which is over seven per cent higher compared to the last year allocation which was Rs 3.37 lakh crore.

Out of 2.12 lakh crore allocated as defence services revenue that include salaries, transportation, repair, refit, stores among others, the Army has been given Rs 1.48 lakh crore, the Navy Rs more than 23.36 thousand crore, the Indian Air Force Rs over Rs 30 thousand crore, Ordinance Factory Board (OFB) Rs 113 crore while the defence research wing DRDO got over Rs 9,000 crore

The government has provided Rs 1.35 lakh crore in 2021-22 for modernization which was Rs 1.13 lakh crore in last in Budget Estimates while the Revised Estimate (RE) was Rs 1.34 lakh crore.

Out of which, the Indian Army has got Rs 36,481 crore in comparison to Rs 33,213 crore in 2020-21.(RE) The modernisation fund allocated to the Navy stood at Rs 33,253 crore while the last year it was Rs 37,542 crore (RE).

The Indian Air Force (IAF) got Rs 53,214 crore in 2021-22 against Rs 55,055 crore in 2020-21 (RE).

The allocation to the Ministry of Defence is the highest allocation among all ministries of the central government.

New Delhi: The Centre has allocated about Rs 1,66,547 crore to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the 2021-22 fiscal with a majority of the funds going to the police forces and a substantial amount for census related works. According to the budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Rs 30,757 crore has been allocated to Jammu and Kashmir and Rs 5,958 crore for Ladakh — the two newly created Union Territories.

The MHA has been allocated Rs 1,66,546.94 crore for the next fiscal with Rs 1,03,802.52 crore for the central armed police forces like the CRPF, BSF, CISF etc. and Rs 3,768.28 crore for census operations. The work for the census 2021 has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Central sector schemes and projects of the MHA got Rs 1,641.12 crore, while Rs 481.61 crore has been allocated for disaster management.

The Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been allocated Rs 5,317.41 crore, Chandigarh Rs 4,661.12 crore, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Rs 2,204.59 crore, Lakshasweep Rs 1,440.56 crore and Puducherry Rs 1,729.79 crore.

New Delhi: Hailing the Union Budget 2021-22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that it will enhance India’s self-confidence amid Covind 19 pandemic while asserting that the budget envisions self-reliance.

“The Union Budget 2021-22 has been presented amid unprecedented circumstances…. Amid the situation created by COVID-19. Today’s budget will enhance India’s self-confidence and will instill self-confidence in the world. The budget has the vision of self-reliance and takes along every section of the society,” PM Modi said after the Union Budget was tabled in the Parliament.

Modi further said “We have taken the approach of widening new opportunities for growth, new openings for our youth, a new high to human resources, developing new regions for infrastructure, walking towards technology and bring new reforms in this Budget”.

He also lauded Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her team for the budget which will bring several positive changes for every sector.

“This budget will bring several positive changes for individuals, investors, industry, and infrastructure sector. I congratulate FM Nirmala Sitharaman Ji and her team on this budget,” he said.

Speaking further on the budget, he said “The Budget focuses on increasing farmers’ income, several measures have been taken in this direction. Farmers will be able to get loans easily. Provisions have been made to strengthen APMC markets with the help of Agriculture Infrastructure Fund”.

“We have taken the approach of widening new opportunities for growth, new openings for our youth, a new high to human resources, develop new regions for infrastructure, walking towards technology & bring new reforms with this Budget,” he added.

“The government, while keeping in sync with fiscal sustainability, stressed on increasing the budget size, and did not put pressure on the citizens. Our government has always tried to keep the budget transparent.” Modi said.

The Prime Minister also said that the budget focuses on sectors that are related to both wealth and wellness whereas a special impetus is also given on infrastructure and MSME sectors.

This budget has categorically made announcements to ease and make lives of women better. Several systematic changes have also been made, which is set to help growth and job creation in the country, he added.

LG Sinha lauds Centre for announcing gas project

Srinagar: The central government on Monday proposed Rs 30,757 crore grant for Jammu and Kashmir for the next financial year during the current budget session, presented by the union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The budget unveiled by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha reveals that Rs 30757 crore have been allocated as grant for J&K Union Territory for 2021-22.

The allocation for Jammu & Kashmir is same to the amount proposed in the last Union Budget as central grant.

During the presentation of union budget, the finance minister also proposed a gas pipeline project in Jammu and Kashmir.

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha lauded the Central Government for announcing the project.

“I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for announcing a new gas pipeline project for the development of Jammu and Kashmir in Budget 2021. I congratulate Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamanji for an inclusive and growth-oriented historic budget for Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” Sinha tweeted.

The key announcements in the Union Budget for the power infrastructure sector include the extension of Ujjwala Scheme to cover 1 crore more beneficiaries, the addition of 100 more districts in the next 3 years to the city gas distribution network and setting up of an independent Gas Transport System Operator.

The Finance Minister announced a ₹ 3,05,984 crore electricity distribution reform scheme over 5 years in order to empower electricity distribution companies (discoms). The major features of the scheme include prepaid smart metering, feeder separation and up-gradation system.

Sitharaman also announced the Hydrogen Energy Mission 2021-22 for generating hydrogen from green sources. (KINS)

Where Money Goes

Costlier

Compressors for refrigerators, air conditioners

LED lamps

Raw silk and cotton

Solar inverters and lanterns

Automobile parts such as safety and toughened glass, windscreen wipers

Mobile phone parts like printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), camera module, connectors, back cover

Mobile phone charger

Leather products

Nylon fibre and yarn

Tunnel Boring Machines

Cheaper

Gold

Silver

Other precious metals like platinum and palladium

Medical devices imported by international organisation and diplomatic missions

Primary/Semi-finished products of non-alloy steel

Copper Scrap

Components or parts, including engines, for manufacture of aircrafts by Public Sector Units of Ministry of Defence

Platinum, Pallidum

Spent Catalyst or ash containing precious metals

Husbandry Feed additives or pre-mixes

Jammu: The traders in Jammu and Kashmir Monday took a dig at the union government, stating that there was no mention of the business community and the much-needed upgradation of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, in the Union Budget despite assurances for the upliftment and development of the UT.

Talking to KNO, traders whose flow depends on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway said that there was nothing for Jammu and Kashmir while the lone project sanctioned will benefit the government only as the traders have been neglected.

Arun Gupta, the newly elected president of JCCI, said that the required things for J&K were ignored in the Union budget that was presented by the union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman today.

“Other states have got a good share in the budget but our UT has been neglected totally and it must be reviewed at the earliest, which requires the attention of the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

He said that the LG must ensure all the requirements are included in the budget, which have been ignored by the central government.

“Everything required must be in the UT budget for development of Jammu and Kashmir. Tourism industry here need a boost but unfortunately it has been ignored in the union budget,” he said adding that the national highway has already been announced and the work is underway on a war footing basis.

“We will request the LG of J&K to propose the languishing work of national highway in UT level budget since the deadlines are often  missed,” he added.

Meanwhile, president Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union (KVFGCDU), Bashir Ahmad said that it was very u fortunate that there was no mention of the national highway in the union budget today.

“We’ve not read it but it’s unfortunate. We have already written about the national highway to the government but of no avail. We had also written about the demand for up-gradation of Mughal road,” he said.

“Mughal road just needs a tunnel at Peer Ki Gali since the Srinagar-Jammu highway frequently gets closed even during summers that leads to huge business losses,” Bashir said.

KTMF president, Yaseen Khan said that the budget has no mention of Jammu and Kashmir while a megaproject announced will benefit the government only.

He said that the budget has nothing related to the upgradation of Srinagar-Jammu national highway. “Jammu and Kashmir needs all-weather connectivity but unfortunately there was no mention of the highway in the budget today,” he said.

He said that the budget has nothing for the traders despite assurances from the government ad traders have suffered a significant losses in the past two years.

Yasin said that there is nothing to be happy about the union budget today as nothing has been proposed in the budget to end the miseries and uplift the business community here.

Notably, the union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman Monday unveiled the budget for the next fiscal year and announced 30757 crores grant for J&K and a gas pipeline project.

Centre announces central university for UT

Srinagar: The Central government has allocated Rs 5958 crore as budget for the newly carved out Union Territory of Ladakh.

As per KNO figures unveiled in the Parliament, the capital expenditure for two- district UT is pegged at Rs 3626 crore and revenue expenditure is estimated at 2331 crore.

In her budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced to set-up Central University in Leh. “For accessible higher education in Ladakh, I propose to set up a Central University in Leh,” she said.

MeT predicts fresh spell of snowfall on Wednesday, Thursday

Srinagar: There was major respite from intense chilly weather conditions as minimum and maximum temperature witnessed improvement amid overnight fresh snowfall in Srinagar, and some other parts of Kashmir.

The respite came a day after ‘Chillai-kalan’, the harshest 40-day winter period in Kashmir, ended.

From Monday, 20-day-long Chilai-Khurd has commenced followed by 10-day-long Chilai Bacha before the onset of spring.

Roof, tree and vehicle tops besides plains had turned white on Monday due to fresh light snowfall as people woke up this morning in Srinagar, disrupting normal activities before the snow vanished after surge in the mercury.

Pedestrain and traffic movement were disrupted due to slippery road conditions after light snowfall. Drivers were seen moving in a very low speed as they were struggling to stop their vehicles from skidding. However, situation returned to normal after snow melted. Majority shops and business establishments also reopened very late as compared to normal days.

As the day progressed, bright sunshine greeted people in the city, resulting in major improvement in the maximum temperature.

After witnessing the coldest night in 30 years at minus 8.8 degree on Sunday, the mercury improved and settled at minus 3.1 degree, which is over 2 degree below normal. Water supply remained disrupted in majority households for the past four days as taps and water bodies, including world famous Dal Lake, remained frozen in Srinagar and outskirts.

World famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, was the only place in the valley where the mercury witnessed a dip. Against minus 8 degree recorded on Sunday, the night temperature dipped and settled at minus 8.2 degree, which is a degree below normal. “The weather remained cloudy in the resort, which is known for its ski slopes and the quality of snow. But, despite chilly weather conditions, tourists are out on ski slopes, enjoying different snow related activities,” a hotelier told UNI over the phone.

Border towns of Machil, Keran, Karnah and Tanghdar in north Kashmir district of Kupwara received about 2 inches of fresh snowfall while the main town recorded an inch of snowfall overnight.

The mercury at world famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, witnessed an improvement of 6 degree from Sunday and settled at minus 6.1 degree, which is normal.

The night temperature at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kukernag improved and settled at 7.6 degree, minus 2.9 degree and minus 9.5 degree, respectively.

Despite major improvement in the minimum temperature, water supply in most areas remained disrupted as taps remained frozen.

People were seen burning wood and using blow kerosene stove to defreeze water in taps. People said they are now using tube-well water for washing and other purpose while in some areas snow was melted.

Meanwhile, a fresh spell of snowfall is predicted from Tuesday onwards under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which originated from the Arabian Sea and will hit the region during the next 24 hours.

A Met department spokesperson said the weather will remain dry during the next 24 hours in Kashmir, which could result in dip in the minimum temperature. However, he said a fresh WD is approaching the region though Afghanistan and Pakistan. “Under the influence of this WD, light snowfall could occur at isolated places in the valley on Tuesday,” he said.

He said the system will build further and could result in moderate to heavy snowfall at most places in the valley on Wednesday and Thursday.

Srinagar: A British national, who had lost his track during a ski trip in world famous resort of Gulmarg, was rescued by an Army patrol, an Army official said on Monday.

He said that the British national and a ski enthusiast, Lachlan Stewart, had lost his track during a Ski trip at Afarwat/Gondola Phase 2 in Gulmarg on late on Sunday evening.

He said after struggling for two hours in heavy snow, he reached the other side of Afarwat towards dense jungle at around 1700 hrs. “Having landed up in a ‘no telephone signal’ zone, the individual was unable to contact his hotel staff or anyone else,” he said.

He was spotted by an Army Patrol party of Gulmarg Battalion and was rescued to their nearest Company Operating Base.

“It was a great relief for Stewart as he was drenching wet after negotiating Nalas and snow in wilderness. The foreign national was treated with great hospitality as per the ethos of the Army, and was given new pair of shoes, shocks and warm refreshments,” he said.

Later in the evening, Stewart was dropped by Army to his hotel in Gulmarg.

Srinagar: Srinagar on Monday reported its first cases of avian influenza as the samples taken from dead crows at two different places tested positive for the disease, prompting precautionary measures by the authorities.

An official spokesperson said that samples from dead crows lifted near the Delhi Public School at Athwajan and the Flood Spill Channel at Peerbagh have tested positive for avian influenza – H5N8 strain.

The samples were sent to ICAR-NISHAD Bhopal for testing.

The spokesman said now in accordance with the stipulated guidelines a 10-kilometer radius area around each of the said locations has been declared as alert zone.

“Among other measures, surveillance and sampling will be conducted to ascertain and prevent the spread,” he added.

Meanwhile, panic has gripped several villages in the border town of Uri in north Kashmir district of Baramulla after dead crows were sighted for the second time in less than a month in three areas.

The locals have appealed to the administration to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter so that if the birds are infected the disease could be stopped from spreading by taking precautionary measures.

Official sources said that the result of the samples sent previously for testing will arrive in one or two days.  (Additional inputs from UNI)