Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented the state budget for the financial year 2023-24 on Monday. The Budget, worth over Rs 1 lakh crore, was presented using a tablet and hence is called an “e-Budget”. It was the last Budget of the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government before the state goes to polls at the end of 2023.

Presenting the Chhattisgarh budget 2023, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday announced that the state government will provide ₹2,500 monthly allowance to unemployed youth in the 18-35 age group whose annual family income is below ₹2.5 lakh.

Top announcements include:

No tax rebate

The pension amount under the Samajik Suraksha Pension Yojana has been raised from Rs 300 to Rs 500 for elders, widows and specially-abled.

Honorarium for employers at Anganwadi Kendras hiked from Rs 6,500 per month to 10,000 per month. Those with a salary of Rs 3,000, will now get Rs 5,000 monthly.

Rs 6,800 for Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana.

Under Mukhiya Mantri Kanya Vivah Yojana, the financial assistance has been increased from Rs 25,000 to 50,000.

101 Naveen Swami Atmanand English medium schools to be opened. Rs 870 crore allotted for this.

Dr Khoobchand Baghel Health Assistance Scheme Rs 990 crore- also announced.

Rs 28 crore allotted for new Chhattisgarh Bhawan in New Delhi’s Chanakyapuri.

Provision of Rs 85 crores made for the development of a 700-bed integrated hospital building at Dr BR Ambedkar memorial hospital in Raipur. Mental hospitals to established in Raipur and Ambikapur.

Rs 2000 crore for Jal Jeevan Mission Yojana. Rs 25 crore for setting up rainwater harvesting system at government buildings.

The budget session of the Chhattisgarh Assembly began on Wednesday. The session will have 14 sittings and conclude on March 24. It would be the last budget session of the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government before the state goes to polls at the end of 2023.