AIRA NEWS NETWORK – Today, Hon’ble Finance Minister Ms. Nirmalaya Sitharaman ji has announced a slew of financial measures aimed at providing financial stimulus to boost both production and demand at the grassroots level.
A total of ₹1.1 lakh crore loan guarantee scheme for COVID-affected sectors has been announced. Of this, Rs 50,000 crore has been allocated to the health sector and Rs 60,000 crore for other sectors.
The fund under health sector is aimed at providing support for the expansion and development of new projects related to health and medical infrastructure in cities other than the 8 metropolitan cities. Under this scheme, the Union Govt guarantees a coverage of 50% for expansion of existing health facilitates and 75% for starting new projects.
I therefore request the Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ji to kindly use this opportunity to upgrade Darjeeling and Kalimpong District Hospitals to Medical Colleges, and to develop a Super Specialty Hospital on the lines of AIIMS in Siliguri.
One of the most important announcements made today related to ₹23,000cr for public health with an emphasis on children and paediatric care, this is in addition to ₹2.3 Lakh Cr provisioned for Health Sector in 2021-22 budget.
This will go a long way in ensuring improved healthcare facilities for children
Our government has announced that Employees Provident Fund support to employers and employees under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana has been extended till March 31, 2022. This will greately benefit the Tea Garden and Cinchona garden workers and employers from Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars region.
The announcement of financial support to more than 11,000 registered tourist guides/travel and tourism stakeholders through the loan guarantee scheme for COVID-affected sector, will help the beleaguered tourism industry in our Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars region. Announcement of Free Visa for 5-lakh inbound foreign tourists will also help the tourism industry that has suffered tremendously due to the ongoing Pandemic. We also need to induce domestic tourism demand by promoting incentive based tourism initiatives for all states.
The announcement of additional ₹19,041 crore outlay for providing broadband to each village through BharatNet Public-Private Partnership model is welcome. Many places like Pokhrebong, Bindu-Jaldhaka, Miikthung, Todey Tangata in border region of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts desperately need better internet and cellular connectivity.
I hope that West Bengal government will make use of all these financial initiatives and provisions and work towards developing better healthcare, tourism and connectivity infrastructure for North Bengal. Doing so will benefit the people here and will also provide immense opportunities for employment generation.
Raju Bista
Member of Parliament, Darjeeling and
National Spokesperson, BJP
