Chhattisgarh

• 21 Jul 2023

'Caravan Tourism'

Why in News?

According to the information given by the Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on July 20, 2023, the tax rate has been fixed for separate registration of motor Caravans with the aim of encouraging caravan trains to promote the tourism industry in Chhattisgarh. Under this, a 10 percent tax will have to be paid for the registration of the caravan vehicle.

Key Points:

• It is noteworthy that keeping in mind the convenience of the public, new steps are being taken by the Transport Department under the guidance of Transport Minister Mohammad Akbar as per the intention of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. In this episode, the state government is planning to promote 'Caravan Tourism' on rivers, mountain ranges, hill stations, forests and heritage sites.
• The concept of caravan tourism has gained immense popularity across the world. Under this policy, recreational vehicles, tourist vans or motor homes will be permitted in places where permanent construction is prohibited and where hotels and resorts are rare.
• Its objective is to provide safe travel and encourage tour operators. This will allow tourists to enjoy the natural beauty and other attractions of the state and will also generate local employment opportunities in the tourism sector.
• What is a Motor Caravan?
• Caravan is a type of passenger vehicle, which is used for a special purpose. This vehicle has seating and sleeping arrangements. As well as having a table and kitchen, many vehicles also have a bathroom. In a way, a motor caravan is like a mobile hotel or home.
• To make a caravan vehicle, a new vehicle or just a chassis can be bought and converted into a caravan vehicle from a registered bodybuilder or an old vehicle can also be modified into a caravan vehicle, but the old vehicle should not be more than three years old to make a caravan vehicle.
• This tourist circuit also promotes family-oriented tourism in destinations that do not have adequate hotel accommodations.
• Motor caravans can be used for travel, leisure and accommodation purposes. Motor caravans are also widely used for adventure tourism.
• Chhattisgarh has a vast land area and landscape, which will add a new dimension to motor caravan tourism. Presently the demand for eco, wildlife, pilgrimage tourism etc. is increasing. This includes going and living in remote areas, forests and rivers.
• There is already a shortage of accommodation at tourist destinations, especially in remote areas and in some places where permanent construction may be neither acceptable nor possible. In such a scenario, Caravan Tourism can effectively meet the growing demand, while ensuring it adheres to quality, standards and safety norms.
• There is no doubt that Caravan Tourism will appeal to a wide range of market segments including youth, families, senior citizens and international tourists.

1st Supplementary Budget for FY 2023-24 passed in the assembly

Why in News?

On July 19, 2023, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel passed the first supplementary budget of Rs 6031 crore 75 lakh 2 thousand 977 for the financial year 2023-24 in the Assembly. Including this amount, now the size of the main budget in the financial year 2023-24 has become Rs 127532 crore.

Key Points:

• In the first supplementary budget, a provision of an additional amount has been kept in various items including Revenue, Home, Energy, Public Health and Family Welfare, Public Works Department, and Rural Housing.
• In the first supplementary budget, a provision of Rs 2976 crore has been kept for revenue expenditure and Rs 3054 crore for capital expenditure.
• It is worth mentioning that a provision of 121500 crore has been made in the main budget of the year 2023-24 and now a provision of Rs 6031 crore has been made in the first supplementary budget.
• While presenting the first supplementary budget, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel while addressing the House said that the less rainfall in the initial days this year had raised concerns, but now it is raining well, due to which there is every possibility of a good crop this year. The situation of famine has not been created in the last few years. 60 to 65 percent of water logging has been done in all the medium and big dams.
• He said that there has been a revenue surplus situation in the state in the last two years and at present also the financial condition of Chhattisgarh is very good.
• Keeping in view the need for and better implementation of Sugam Sadak Yojana, an additional provision of Rs 100 crore has been made in the supplementary budget.
• Similarly, 200 crores for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, 156 crores for employment-oriented and livelihood-oriented schemes, Rs. 95 crores for the operator of ration shops under food security, a supplement of Rs. 76 crores for the distribution of fortified rice under Suposhan Abhiyan. Additional provision has been made in the budget.
• Provisions have been made in the supplementary budget for the development of health structures in rural areas. A provision of Rs 45 crore has been made in the supplementary budget for the additional expenditure to be incurred on increasing 50-50 MBBS seats in Government Medical College Raigarh, Bilaspur and Ambikapur. Similarly, provision has been made in the supplementary budget for the upgradation of educational institutions and the development of infrastructure.
• Important announcements of Rs 2000 crore by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel during the supplementary budget-
  • The dearness allowance of about 5 lakh government servants of the state has been increased by 4 percent. In this way, there has been a total increase of 42 percent in the basic pay so far. Due to a 4 percent increase, the state government will have to spend an additional Rs 800 crore.
  • The salary of 37000 contract workers has been increased by 27 percent. Due to this, the state government will have to spend an additional Rs 350 crore.
  • The salary of daily wage earners has been increased by Rs 4000 per month. Due to this, the state government will have to spend an additional Rs 240 crore.
  • The honorarium of 1,650 guest teachers has been increased by Rs 2,000 per month, due to which an additional expenditure of Rs 4 crore will be incurred by the state government.
  • Monthly resource allowance of Rs. 500 to 6000 patwaris, the state government will have to spend an additional Rs.4 crore due to this.
  • All government servants will be given a 9 percent house rent allowance for B-class cities and 6 percent for C and other cities on the 7th pay scale. Due to this, the state government will have to spend an additional Rs 265 crore.
  • All police constables will be given an annual allowance of Rs 8000. The state government will have to spend an additional Rs 40 crore for this.
  • Mitanin trainer, block coordinator and help desk operator will be given a daily incentive allowance of Rs 100 per day. This will cost the state government an additional expenditure of Rs 11 crore.
  • 2500 to 3000 rupees will be given monthly to 10 thousand panchayat secretaries. Due to this, the state government will have to spend an additional Rs 50 crore. Apart from this, they will also be given the benefit of earned leave, ex-gratia amount up to Rs 10 lakh and reimbursement of medical expenses up to Rs 5 lakh.
  • The state government will have to spend a total of Rs 1,764 crore on account of the above announcements for government servants.
• Under the Chief Minister's Special Health Assistance Scheme, the maximum amount of assistance has been increased from Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh.
• On the basis of the survey list of the Socio-Economic Survey 2011, the needy families were facing difficulty in sanctioning houses due to the determination of eligibility for Prime Minister Rural Housing. To overcome this, the Rural Housing Justice Scheme will be started from the resources of the state. For this, a provision of Rs 100 crore has been made in the budget.