Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I rise before this august House of glorious Gujarat to present the Budget for the year 2008-09 with an overwhelming feeling of joy. I have had the privilege to present the Budget for twelve times in the past and I feel honoured to have this opportunity once again. By mentioning the number of opportunities, I want to convey that the people of Gujarat appreciate the importance of stable governance. Gujarat has captured the imagination of the country and the world with its development. Such development is based on stability in governance, clarity in policy and the objective to achieve the goal. The political and social currents in Gujarat show that the common man of the State has faith in development as well as in our resolve and efforts in achieving it. Every citizen wants to participate in the process of development; because he feels that he is a beneficiary in the comprehensive development process. The response received from the people of Gujarat has encouraged our government to further enhance the already extended canvass of development. Gujarat is going to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of its formation in the year 2010 and I express my desire before this august House that it will display more than the required commitment to convert this occasion into an opportunity for development. Such commitment by this House, which would be a ray of hope for five and a half crore Gujaratis, will form an emotional bond with the common man and help us in marching ahead for the progress of one and all. Let the government and the society in the coming days, evolve golden resolutions that may transform the celebration of the golden jubilee into an invaluable event for the development of the entire State, rather remaining merely a government programme. Our golden dreams could be realized through such golden objectives if each government department and every social and cultural organizations/agencies resolve in this direction. The challenge is big; but with the confidence that this august House will accept it, I am happy to present this progressive and people oriented Budget. The report on Human Development Index (HDI) prepared by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which essentially includes Infant Mortality Rate, Literacy Rate, School Enrolment Rate as well as Per Capita Income, ranks India at 128. When we talk about the 21st

century being the century of India, it becomes our duty to uplift the country from this unenviable condition. We must do something concrete in this direction as far as Gujarat is concerned. When we state that the development process in the State will be in the direction of improving the HDI, it is very important to note that we intend to endeavour for collective development. We plan to undertake a process of development that may improve the standard of living of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the Developing Castes, Women etc. In short, we intend to achieve not only speedy development; but we also want to ensure that this developmental process results in “Inclusive Growth” and also proves beneficial on a large scale by providing equal opportunities to all. Hon’ble Speaker Sir, we intend to increase rural prosperity through agricultural development; create employment opportunities through industrial development and increase the momentum of development through infrastructural facilities and simultaneously want to take a firm step ahead to put Gujarat at par with the developed countries in terms of HDI. To improve the standard of living of the common man, our endeavour is to improve the HDI by satisfying the basic human needs by providing nutritious diet, pure drinking water, extension of quality education and expansion of health facilities. In the past, inspite of awareness of the Government and the society, the drop-out rate in primary schools was a cause of concern. However, due to our efforts by the way of an intensive enrollment campaign, the drop-out rate, which was 20.5 per cent in 2000-01, has significantly come down to almost 3 per cent. We have been able to save the lives of mothers and infants and look after their health care through the ‘Chiranjeevi Yojana’. The ‘Beti Bachavo Campaign’ has had a positive impact in improving the skewed sex ratio. All these have become possible because the development process has been transformed into a people’s campaign. If such encouraging achievements could be attained in such difficult areas, the possibility of Gujarat becoming the best in terms of HDI in future, can also be transformed into a reality.

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State’s Annual The Annual Plan size for the year 2008-09 is fixed at Rs. 19,030 Plan crore. Head-wise allocation is as under:- (Rs. in crore) Sr. No. Head Allocation 1. Agriculture and Allied Services 12,49.65 2. Rural Development 6,71.96 3. Special Areas Programme 24.20 4. Irrigation and Flood Control 50,70.20 5. Energy 7,50.50 6. Industries and Minerals 7,62.66 7. Transport 17,31.70 8. Science, Technology and Environment 1,14.00 9. General Economic Services 4,47.65 10. Social Services 81,71.42 11. General Services 36.06 Total 1,90,30.00

While making allocation, priority is given to “social services”. An amount of Rs. 8171.42 crore is being allocated to various heads of social services such as Health, Education, Drinking Water, Housing, Nutrition, Social Welfare, Women and Child Development etc. An amount of Rs. 3,255 crore is allocated for the Sardar Sarovar Project and Rs. 817.54 crore for Sujalam Sufalam Yojana, totaling Rs. 4072.54 crore with the objective of making available drinking water to the entire population of the State and water to the farmers of the State for irrigation from Narmada. An amount of Rs. 671.96 crore is allocated for the year 2008-09 for rural development. An amount of Rs. 266.54 crore is allocated for decentralized district planning while an amount of Rs. 1501 crore is allocated for the development of roads and bridges in the State. State’s In all the Five Year Plans from 1960 to 2007 put together, Gujarat Economic was able to spend about Rs. 1,03,619 crore. Compared to this, government Growth has allocated Rs. 1,06,918 crore for the 11th Five Year Plan alone. This itself speaks volumes of the quantum leap Gujarat has taken, and how well equipped it is to progress further. Marching ahead with the mantra of national development, Gujarat will take up this challenge also.

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As against the annual plan size of Rs. 16000 crore in the year 2007- 08, a provision of Rs. 19,030 crore has been made for the ensuing year; this shows an increase of 18.93 per cent. For the 10th plan period, Gujarat had estimated a growth rate of 10.2 per cent, which was as challenging as the best growth rates in Asia. Notwithstanding several hurdles, Gujarat has achieved an average growth rate of 10.4 per cent during the last five years, thus catapulting Gujarat to the forefront in the country. For the 11th Plan period, a challenging target of attaining 11.2 per cent growth rate has been set, which is the highest among all major states of the country. The advance estimates for the year 2007-08 indicate that Gujarat is already moving towards achieving a growth rate of 11.3 per cent (at constant prices). During the year 2006-07, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the State was estimated at Rs. 2,54,533 crore which shows an increase of 15.81 per cent as compared to the revised estimate of Rs. 2,19,780 crore for the year 2005-06. The advance estimates for the year 2007-08 indicate that the GDP at current prices will be Rs. 2,92,905 crore showing a 15.08 per cent increase. Nirmal Realizing the need for sanitation for peoples’ well-being, government Gujarat had launched the “Nirmal Gujarat” campaign. There are encouraging results from this mission during the current year, as there has been a significant decrease in epidemics, which generally manifest after heavy rains. With a view to making this mission more intensive and effective, a provision of Rs. 261 crore has been proposed, with an increase of 55 per cent against last year’s provision of Rs. 168 crore. ‘Nirogi Balak’ It is especially heartening to state that our government has decided to Year celebrate the year 2008 as “Healthy Child” (Nirogi Balak) year. It has been planned to bring down the infant mortality rate during this campaign. With a view to realizing the concept of healthy child in terms of physical, mental and social health, it has been planned to cover the period from conception to adolescence. It has also been planned to give special attention to pre-natal care of mothers, comprehensive vaccination, monitoring the growth of child, adequate nutrition, health check-up and protection for the proper physical and mental development of child. Education Considering the importance of imparting education to the future generation, government has been providing the necessary hardware and software. For example, apart from increasing the number of schools and class rooms, 35946 sanitation complexes have also been built. A big task of appointing 83,000 Vidya Sahayaks has been accomplished and a provision

4 for appointing another 11,000 Vidya Sahayaks has been made in this Budget. As a result of the inputs provided, the drop-out rate in primary schools has come down to about 3% and an enrolment rate as high as about 99% has been achieved. Our resolve to achieve 100 per cent enrolment has been further boosted. The Education Department has planned various schemes with a view to preparing large number of young people for the modern era, enabling them to avail all possibilities and opportunities of the modern world, harnessing their potential in industrial and scientific streams so that the diligence of youth may be channelized and gainfully utilized in the development of the Nation. A new Technology University has been established wherein syllabi at par with IITs have been planned to be introduced from July, 2008. As the number of students in Science Stream has reached up to 1,06,000 for the first time, it has been planned to create institutes, providing technical education on a large scale It is proposed to increase employment opportunities by providing training of English to youth in the age group of 15 to 35 under the programme “SCOPE”, so that the students of the State do not lag behind due to lack of knowledge of English. ¾ Against the provision of Rs. 1070.12 crore for the year 2007-08, for the education sector, Rs. 1349 crore has been proposed for the next year with an increase of 26%. ¾ Proposed provision of Rs. 43 crore for the facility of electricity and drinking water in primary schools. ¾ Proposed provision of Rs. 85 crore to equip schools with computers. ¾ Under the highly ambitious schemes of Vanbandhu and Sagarkhedu Kalyan Yojana provision has been made to open 203 Secondary and 222 Higher Secondary Schools in the State. ¾ At present premier institutes like IIM, ISRO, PRL, NID and NIFT are engaged in educational and research work in Ahmedabad. Considering the industrial development of Gujarat and with a view to providing adequate opportunities for research and development, there is need to have an institute of the level of IIT in Gujarat. Therefore, as a first step, government has opened the extension centre of IIT Mumbai at Chandkheda.

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¾ An increase of 1960 seats at graduation level and 2505 seats at Diploma level has been proposed under Engineering, Pharmacy and Architecture. ¾ In order to ensure that the students constantly remain in touch with industries and they get practical experience, 100 Polytechnic Extension Centres are proposed to be established in GIDC areas. ¾ 10 new colleges have been proposed to be established in the backward areas of the state. Health The true measure of human life is not that how long one lives; but how healthy one lives. In this context, the “Chiranjeevi Yojana” being implemented by Gujarat for the welfare of expectant mothers is an example of the unique initiative taken in the entire Nation. An intensive programme of qualitative reforms in health services has been taken up by the Health Department as a part of Hon’ble Chief Minster’s mission to ensure all round development in the State. The free Emergency Service–108 started with the key idea that quick help at the time of an accident saves human life has been warmly welcomed in the State. The number 108 is at the tip of peoples’ tongue enabling them to avail free emergency service. The services through 108 have made qualitative addition in saving numerous lives. A provision of Rs. 12 crore has been proposed for extension of this service in the whole State. Along with bringing down the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), it has also been planned to take up the mission for controlling spread of deadly diseases like sickle-cell anaemia and leptospirosis in the tribal and southern Gujarat areas respectively. It has also been planned to initiate services like tele-medicine by using latest technology to extend the health services in rural areas. Along with the launch of another unique initiative of Nirogi Balak Abhiyan, our efforts will be to put Gujarat among the developed countries in terms of HDI. Thereby, we intend to march ahead to realize the idea of “Shatam Jivam Sharadah” With the intention of creating an infrastructural pool of public health professionals and for bringing about basic changes in the style of functioning and approach of health workers, it has been decided to establish, jointly by the State Government and the Public Health Foundation of India, an important institute in the field of public health management at par with management education imparted in IIMs. Government has allotted 50 acres

6 of land at Gandhinagar for this project. It has been planned to start short term courses in this institute from June, 2008 and special provision for admission has been made for candidates belonging to Gujarat. The proposed provision for this project is Rs. 20 crore. Intensive efforts have been made in the year 2008-09 to obtain certification of the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for the laboratories of Vadodara, Bhuj and Rajkot working under the Food & Drugs Control Authority. This will be the first government laboratory of the state to have such certification in the country. It has been proposed to start a physiotherapy college in the tribal area of the state under the “Vanbandhu Yojana”. It has been planned to introduce a Post Graduate Level Course in Hospital Management in North Gujarat University so that well-trained managers become available for better management of the emerging hospital network. The State Government is committed to provide health care to the people through qualitative ayurvedic medicines and AYUSH (Ayurved, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathic) practitioners. It has been planned to improve the quality of all medicines prepared by the government ayurvedic pharmacies of the state and send them to government ayurved hospitals and dispensaries for which a provision of Rs. 32 crores has been proposed. Against the provision of Rs. 565.20 crore for the year 2007-08 under the Health & Family Welfare Department, the proposed provision for the next year is Rs. 824.75 crore with an increase of 45.92%. Construction and maintenance of the infrastructural facilities for health are important activities for which the State Government has decided to constitute Gujarat State Health Infrastructure Development Corporation to maintain the level of excellence in infrastructural construction, repairs and maintenance of health institutions. Upgradation of 144 PHCs, 94 CHCs, 30 sub-centres and 200 PHCs and 74 CHCs will be taken up through this novel approach. The proposed provision for this is Rs. 67.44 crore. Provision of Rs. 25 crore has been proposed to obtain accreditation for 6 government laboratories and nine hospitals during the next year from National Accreditation Board for Laboratories.

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Women & Mahatma Gandhi has said – “I make no compromise for the rights of Child the women. I treat a son and a daughter equally”. To capture the essence of Development this sentence, the State Government is making efforts to create an atmosphere where women may enjoy individual, social and economic freedom at par with their male counterpart. It has been planned to empower women through “Nari Gaurav Niti”. While the State Government is celebrating the “Nirogi Balak Year” (Healthy Child Year), it has been planned to start an awareness campaign to ensure that the benefits of this scheme reaches to the mothers also. When we talk of improving the HDI in Gujarat, we acknowledge important dimensions of women and child development and therefore, against the provision of Rs. 197.20 crore for the year 2007-08, provision of Rs.340 crore has been proposed for the next year with an increase of 72.41%. With a view to empowering rural women, as a part of rural development, efforts have been made to make them self-reliant through their economic empowerment by making them partners in the process of rural development and involving them directly with economic matters by way of economic activities through small groups of women and Sakhi Mandals. In order to engage about 15 lakh women in economic activities, it has been planned to form 1.50 lakh Sakhi Mandals with a provision of Rs. 94 crore. Pension given to widows may not be sufficient and, therefore, it has been planned to give assistance of Rs. 3000/- to about 10,000 widows in the age group of 18-40 so that the young widows are not rendered vulnerable and do not have to depend on others by becoming self reliant through development of skills. Hon’ble Speaker Sir, Gujarat has taken several initiatives in various fields. While the Government has been given the opportunity to start welfare activities which may prove useful to the coming generations and the society as a whole, as a part of our efforts to improve the HDI, I take the opportunity to make an important announcement. We have planned to establish a Children’s University in Gujarat, which is the first of its kind in the country, for the development of the children who are poised to become important citizens of the society. Initially, we intend to start an institute called “Bal Gokulam” which will, subsequently, be converted into the “Children’s University”. In the beginning, the idea is to cultivate a scientific approach for the physical and mental development of children, impart training to all who are working in this field and also to conduct scientific studies on playful activities like jingles, toys etc. and things like nutritious diet for overall health of the child.

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Integrated Malnutrition is a matter of concern for any society. In this regard, it Child has become inevitable for the government and the society to collectively Development. shoulder the responsibility of welfare of the next generation. With a noble objective of making the children healthy and to make them free from malnutrition, the government had launched “Bal Bhog Yojana” to provide nutritious food to children. This scheme will cover 32 lakh children below 6 years of age, adolescent girls and 4 lakh expectant mothers. Against the last year’s provision of Rs. 105 crore, a provision of Rs. 127.76 crore has been proposed for the next year. ¾ 4000 more Anganwadis have been started in the state and a provision of Rs. 40 crore has been proposed to construct their own buildings. ¾ 5000 Anganwadi buildings will be repaired with a provision of Rs. 10 crore. ¾ Mobile Anganwadi Centres will be started in the urban slum areas for migratory labourers. ¾ Government has launched the scheme of Mata Yashoda Best Anganwadi Worker/Helper Award for the Anganwadi Workers/Helpers putting in outstanding work. For this, a provision of Rs. 1.10 crore has been proposed. More than 650 Anganwadi workers/helpers will be bestowed with this award. For this, a provision of Rs. 40 crore has been proposed. ¾ Government has increased the honorarium for Anganwadi Worker/Helper to Rs. 500/- and Rs. 250/- respectively. Besides this, they will be given two sarees every year. Moreover, they will be given the benefit of Provident Fund in which the State Government will contribute Rs. 50/- per month per beneficiary. Drinking In the past, many villages of Gujarat were experiencing shortage of Water drinking water. North Gujarat, Saurashtra, Kachchh and many villages of the eastern belt of Central Gujarat were facing specific problems of Fluoride, Nitrate and Salinity in drinking water. Besides this, due to heavy drawing of underground water, the water level in wells had depleted. As an important component of improving the Human Development Index (HDI), our Government had undertaken a mega campaign of developing a Watergrid to solve the problem of drinking water in the entire State. Hon’able Speaker Sir, I am pleased to state that in 2001-2002 a total of 7675 villages/falias were facing the problem of drinking water of which 4187, 1125 and 2363 villages were facing the problem of Flouride, Nitrate and Salinity respectively in drinking water. But during these years, schemes

9 for providing drinking water had been undertaken at the cost of Rs. 7036 crore through the planning of Mahi-Narmada based Watergrid as well as canals, dams, check-dams etc. With the help of this Watergrid, pure drinking water is now available in 4779 villages of North Gujarat, Saurashtra, Kachchh and eastern belt of Central Gujarat. Similar works are under progress in 2150 villages. After the water supply scheme has been put into place by the State Government, internal distribution of water, planning of required structure and the financial arrangement for its smooth administration has also achieved remarkably well through Local Water Committees. Against the provision of Rs. 1220 crore in the year 2007-08, under the Water Supplies Department, the proposed provision for the ensuing year is Rs. 1469.25 crore with an increase of 20.43 per cent. ¾ A provision of Rs. 265 crore has been proposed for water supply to the tribal areas of the state. ¾ To solve the problem of drinking water in the coastal areas of the state, government has undertaken the task of providing water to the remote areas, harvesting rain water from the roof-tops and desalination of water through the ultra modern techniques like Reverse Osmosis. ¾ After the establishment of ‘WASMO’, the Water Committees have undertaken the task of internal distribution of water in 10179 villages in the last four years. In 2978 of these villages, this project has been completed and is being run efficiently with people’s participation. A provision of Rs. 115 crore has been proposed for the internal distribution management of drinking water with people’s participation. Government has decided to provide tool kits to all the Gram Panchayats to test the quality of water. Till now, more than 10,000 teams have been formed for testing of water. It has been planned to make these kits available to all the gram panchayats in the current year. I am pleased to inform this august House that a provision of Rs. 3983 crore, with an increase of 30.48 per cent, has been proposed for the ensuing year against the total provision of Rs. 3052.52 crore made last year for providing essential services under health, education, women and child development, drinking water etc., which are essential for improving the HDI. This shows the commitment of our government towards comprehensive development.

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Welfare of In all budget speeches, governments talk about the development of Scheduled the Scheduled Tribes; but the experience says that something is lacking Tribes somewhere. And therefore, inspite of incurring crores of rupees, the desired outcomes have not been achieved. Learning from this experience, government has devised a tribal development package for the all-round development of Scheduled Tribes. In “Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana”, more than the allocation of the huge amount of Rs. 15000 crore, the key feature is that it seeks to do away with the hitherto piecemeal efforts. The scheme basically aims at the development, progress and better standards of living for the Scheduled Tribes, through a holistic approach, which has been planned by the government to ensure that the money so spent yields the desired results. For inclusive growth, it is very important to make the deprived sections beneficiaries of the development process. In the 11th plan period, a provision of Rs. 15,000 crore has been made for the development of the Scheduled Tribes under the “Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana”, starting from 2007-08. Our government had made a provision of Rs. 2335.35 crore under this scheme for the year 2007-08. Going further in the same direction, our government has proposed to make a provision of Rs. 2933.77 crore with an increase of 25.62 per cent, under this scheme, for the ensuing year. Against the provision of Rs. 210 crore for the year 2007-08 under the Tribal Development Department, a provision of Rs. 255 crore has been proposed, with the increase of 21.43 per cent, for the next year. ¾ The State Government has decided to implement “Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana” under the 10 point programme, keeping in view, the three-pronged development of the area, village and person with regard to the development of the Scheduled Tribes. ¾ Under the 10 point programme, employment to five lakh families, improvement in the quality of education, making two-fold increase in their income, health for all, housing, drinking water through pipeline, irrigation facility, all-weather roads, availability of electricity and urban development have been covered. ¾ A provision of Rs. 296 crore, has been proposed under the Gujarat pattern in tribal areas. ¾ A provision of Rs. 15.25 crore has been proposed to provide uniforms to 9 lakh tribal students studying in Std. 1 to 7. ¾ A provision of Rs. 24.85 crore has been proposed for scholarships to children belonging to the Scheduled Tribes studying upto S.S.C.

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¾ A provision of Rs. 10 crore has been proposed for two talukas in primary stage for providing balanced diet to students belonging to the Scheduled Tribes under the “Supplementary Nutrition Scheme”. ¾ A provision of Rs. 11.40 crore has been proposed for starting Std. 8 in 55 Ashram Shalas. ¾ A provision of Rs. 1 crore has been proposed for 100 students identified in the talent pool under “Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana” so that the students belonging to the Scheduled Tribes can get qualitative education. ¾ It has been planned to start the Science Stream in Std. 11-12 in 11 model residential schools. ¾ A provision has been proposed to start 15 new secondary level hostels and five new college level government hostels. ¾ A provision has been proposed for the gradual development of general stream Ashram Shalas. Welfare of Against the provision of Rs. 450 crore for the year 2007-08 under Social Scheduled Justice and Empowerment Department, a provision of Rs. 566.50 crore has Castes been proposed for the next year with an increase of 25.89 per cent. In the year 2008-09, a provision of Rs. 186.50 crore has been made for the overall development of the Scheduled Castes, which is Rs. 56.50 crore more compared to the last year. ¾ The loan amount provided to M.B.B.S. doctors has been increased from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 2.50 lakh and the annual income limit has been increased from Rs. 24,000/- to Rs. 50,000/-. Similarly, a provision has been proposed to increase the loan amount, given to M.D./M.S. doctors, from Rs. 2.50 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh. ¾ A provision has been proposed to increase the annual scholarship given to the M. Phil and Ph.D. students. The scholarship has been proposed to be increased from Rs. 20,000/- to 25,000/- for M. Phil students and from Rs. 25,000/- to Rs. 30,000/- for Ph. D. students. ¾ A provision has been proposed with the purpose of providing assistance to construct a house at the rate of Rs. 40,000/- to 1250 widows belonging to the Scheduled Castes and 250 widows belonging to the most backward among the Scheduled Castes. ¾ A provision has been proposed to give assistance to construct a house at the rate of Rs. 40,000/- to 1000 widows of scavengers.

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¾ It is proposed to start four new hostels for post-graduate students of the Scheduled Castes at Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Vadodara and Vallabh Vidyanagar. ¾ It is proposed to start the construction works of two boys’ hostels at Ahmedabad and Surat and one girls’ hostel at Gandhinagar. Welfare of A provision has been proposed to provide assistance of Rs. 40,000/- Developing for the construction of houses to 1500 widows of socially and educationally Castes backward classes and economically backward classes and 750 women of nomadic and denotified classes. ¾ A provision has been proposed for 15 new government hostels with lodging and boarding facilities in 13 districts of the state under the “Sagarkhedu Yoajana”. ¾ A provision has been proposed to increase the loan given to the students of socially and educationally backward classes for the training of commercial pilots, from Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh. ¾ Provision for providing assistance of Rs. 2000/- for purchasing bicycles to the girls of backward classes, studying in Std. 8 has been proposed. Social ¾ Against the plan provision of Rs. 75 crore in the year 2007-08 for the Defence welfare of children, disabled persons and destitute aged persons who need care and protection of the government, a provision of Rs. 115 crore is proposed for this year. ¾ As per the existing norms of “Vaya Vandana” (Pension) scheme for the destitute persons of 65 years or more and aged people, whose individual annual income is less than Rs. 2400/- and whose family annual income is less than Rs. 4500/- and whose son is not more than 21 years of age, are eligible for assistance. Changes have been made therein and now all the aged persons of more than 65 years of age, covered under B.P.L. list of families, shall be given the benefit of this scheme. At present, about 65,000 aged persons are availing benefit of this scheme. It has been planned to cover additional about 69,000 beneficiaries under this scheme. ¾ A helpline shall be started for destitute aged persons. ¾ A provision has been proposed for the new scheme of providing assistance of Rs. 40,000/- to 500 disabled widows for construction of houses. ¾ With a view to extending the coverage of scholarship to the disabled students, it is proposed to increase the current limit of Rs. 14,000/- upto Rs. 25,000/-.

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Forest Against the provision of Rs. 213.50 crore for the year 2007-08 under Forest and Environment Department, with the increase of 62.53%, a provision of Rs. 347 crore has been proposed for the next year. A provision of Rs. 342 crore has been proposed for afforestation for the next year, out of which, an amount of Rs. 170.10 crore is kept under the tribal area sub-plan and Rs. 16.35 crore is kept under scheduled caste sub plan. Under these schemes, “Sanskriti Van”, “Punit Van”, “Mangalya Van”, “Kailas Van” etc. are proposed to be created in the state for afforestation of the areas situated outside forest areas. It is planned to generate employment of 203.39 lakh man-days in the field of afforestation, for which tribal areas have been given priority. A scheme of Rs. 40 crore has been sanctioned for five years, for initiating measures for the protection of lions by the Gujarat State Lion Conservation Society, for which, a provision of Rs. 12 crore is proposed. Environment Intensive plantation of mangroves has been taken up in 1000 ha. area last year by the Gujarat Ecological Commission, with the participation of local communities. Besides the employment to local communities, plantation of mangroves is important for the conservation of coastal environment. It is planned to take up plantation in an additional 285 ha. area during the next year. Agriculture Against the provision of Rs. 728 crore in the year 2007-08 under the Agriculture and Co-operation Department, the proposed provision is Rs. 941.85 crore for the next year, which is an increase of 29.38%. While we are in the first year of Eleventh Five Year Plan, it is noteworthy to state that in the Tenth Five Year Plan, the average agriculture growth of Gujarat was about 12%. In the Tenth Five Year Plan, the total production of Gujarat in the field of agriculture and horticulture for the year 2002-03 was 158.61 lakh Mt. tonne, worth Rs. 13,407 crore, which increased to 272.20 lakh Mt. tonne in the year 2006-07, worth about Rs. 34,000 crore at current prices. Thus, the agricultural production has increased by more than two and a half times. ¾ Provision of Rs. 337.98 crore has been proposed to develop modern and scientific methods of cultivation that reduce the cost of production. ¾ With concentration on the farmers from the weaker sections and distribution of kits to the B P L farmers for agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry within the prescribed time through Krushi Mahotsav, the farmers have reaped more output. There is a proposed provision of Rs. 59.70 crore in this regard.

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¾ A decision in principle has been taken by the State government to include any one of the heirs of the farmers apart from the farmers, holding accounts under the Accident Insurance Scheme in the next year, for which, there is a proposed provision of Rs. 15 crore. ¾ A provision of Rs. 148.23 crore is proposed for Crop Insurance Scheme for farmers. ¾ Under “Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana”, a new Agriculture Engineering College at Godhra and a new Agriculture Engineering Polytechnic at Dahod have been planned. ¾ A provision of Rs. 40 crore is proposed for strengthening district centre co-operative banks and other co-operative banks of the state. ¾ There has been a 20% increase in milk production; because of Krishi Mahotsav during the last three years and intensive care taken in cattle improvement. A provision of Rs. 10 crore is proposed for State level Krishi Mahotsav and publicity and health oriented services of Animal Husbandry. ¾ In future, in order to increase agriculture production of farmers, qualitative improvement and to make available infrastructure for agriculture production and to make agriculture production more rewarding in the market, government aims to link agriculture production with the markets. A provision of Rs. 10.90 crore is proposed for strengthening market arrangements. ¾ Farmers of Gujarat are industrious and innovative; but farmers dependent on rains often become helpless. If water resources are planned efficiently, farmers of Gujarat can contribute in a big way towards fulfilling national requirements in agriculture. Therefore, the State Government under the water conservation campaign has undertaken activities of deepening of village ponds and farm ponds and thereby large facilities of irrigation have been created and because of good rains in last years, the cultivation area has increased from 21 lakh ha. to 39 lakh ha. under Rabi and Summer seasons of 2006-07. As against a provision of Rs. 177.20 crore for land and water conservation, a provision of Rs. 249.25 crore has been proposed for this year. ¾ As against a provision of Rs. 36 crore last year for establishment of a new Veterinary University and 23 colleges, polytechnics and training institutes, a provision of Rs. 98.48 crore has been proposed for this year.

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Animal ¾ The contribution of Animal Husbandry is 4.5% in total domestic Husbandry production of the State. ¾ A provision of Rs. 91.87 crore is proposed under Animal Husbandry sub-head for next year. Under this provision, it is planned to provide intensive veterinary services and cattle breeding in order to increase cattle production and productivity. ¾ A provision has been proposed under Dairy Development to increase the production capacity of the milch animals of the belonging to the pastoralists of the state and also towards assistance for kits to encourage the production of hygienic milk as well as assistance towards insurance premium and to provide infrastructural facilities. Rural With the objective of bringing the rural families above the poverty Development line, a provision of Rs. 384.36 crore has been proposed for the next year for employment generation to make them economically self-reliant through employment oriented programmes. ¾ A provision of Rs. 55 crore has been proposed under rural sanitation (including Rs. 26 crore for Nirmal Gujarat). ¾ A provision of Rs. 63.50 crore has been proposed for the next year to implement the National Rural Employment Generation Programme in all the districts of the state from April, 2008. ¾ A provision of Rs. 60 crore has been proposed under Indira Awas Yojana for the next year. ¾ A provision of Rs. 15.45 crore has been proposed for providing self employment to about 36000 beneficiaries under the “Swarnajayanti Gram Swaraj Yojana” (SGSY). ¾ A provision of Rs. 38 crore has been proposed under the “Gokul Gram Yojana” for the next year. ¾ A provision of Rs. 54.44 crore has been proposed for various programmes related to Command Area Development for the next year. ¾ A provision of Rs. 55 crore has been proposed to generate public awareness in the rural areas to implement total sanitation campaign under the Rural Health Programme. ¾ Insurance cover is to be provided to 1014 lakh landless and very poor rural families under the “Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana”. The proposed provision is Rs. 10.14 crore for the next year.

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Urban As per the census-2001, 37.36 per cent of the population of the state Development lives in cities and it is expected to increase upto 50% by the next decade. Thus, urbanization in the State is increasing. Hence, in order to make necessary planning, the proposed provision for the next year is Rs. 2111 crore, with an increase of 24.37%, against the provision of Rs. 1697.34 crore for the year 2007-08, for Urban Development and Urban Housing Department. Due to the impact of globalization and progress made through the Vibrant Gujarat, there has been an increase in setting up of new industries, thus creating employment opportunities in Gujarat. The process of urbanization is faster in Gujarat as compared to that of the entire country and thus it has become inevitable to create various infrastructural and basic amenities through people’s participation for the developing vibrant cities. ¾ A provision of Rs. 454 crore has been proposed for the welfare of urban poor under the integrated programmes of “Garib Samruddhi Yojana”. ¾ A provision of Rs. 755 crore has been proposed for the JNNURM programme. ¾ A provision of Rs. 475 crore is proposed for the development of seven Municipal Corporations. ¾ As against a provision of Rs. 70 crore for the year 2007-08 under Vajpayee Nagar Vikas Yojana for providing infrastructural facilities to Corporations, a provision of Rs. 185 crore has been proposed for this year under which Rs. 50 crore is proposed for sewage management of small and medium corporations. ¾ As against a provision Rs. 98.05 crore for the year 2007-08 under Nirmal Gujarat Campaign with the object of a clean and healthy Gujarat, a provision of Rs. 160 crore is proposed to be provided with 60% increase out of which Rs. 50 crore is provided for disposal and process of solid waste of urban areas. ¾ A provision of Rs. 30 crore is proposed for computerization of records, G.I.S. based technology and computerization of corporations. ¾ Taking into account, the serious issue of global warming and climate change, a provision of Rs. 7 crore is proposed for energy audit and for trading in carbon credits.

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GIFT Gujarat has its own identity in the field of commerce. The work for the formation of Gujarat International Finance Tech-city (GIFT) with modern scientific and infrastructural facilities has been initiated with a view to tap the special expertise of Gujarat in the financial field as well as to take advantage of the traditional qualities that Gujaratis possess. In order to give prime place to Gujarat in the field of finance, Gujarat Urban Development Company (GUDC) has entered into contract with Infrastructure Lease and Financial Services Ltd. (IL&FS) for establishment of Gujarat International Finance Tech-city Company Ltd. (GIFT) jointly near Gandhinagar. Government has allotted 500 acres of land at market rate for the project. In this City, there will be offices, hotels and institutes covering educational and medical services, commercial services, having built-up area of 7.5 crore sq. feet. GIFT will create infrastructural facilities of international level and provide most modern assistance in the field of information technology. Modern multi-storied buildings will be built, enhancing considerable skill of artisans and engineers of the state, working in the field of engineering and construction. Plenty of opportunities will be available for developing commercial and financial expertise of Gujaratis. This scheme, when completed, will provide direct employment to five lakh professionals and indirect employment to an equal number of beneficiaries in the allied supporting services. Jal Shakti Gujarat, in the past, faced problems of drinking water, fodder for animals and migration of the people for livelihood during the periods of famine and scarcity. In the past, short-term measures such as providing water through hand-pumps, tankers, and railway were taken up; but those measures did not solve these problems permanently. Our government, for the people of Gujarat, has made long-term planning to solve these grave problems permanently, and has already started drought-proofing of this scarcity affected areas. Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I am pleased to announce that we have made long term planning for drinking water and irrigation in the scarcity affected areas, especially villages of North Gujarat, Saurashtra, Kachchh and eastern belt of Central Gujarat by implementing the Watergrid Project of Mahi-Narmada. These areas are being rejuvenated by bringing the waters of Mahi and Narmada into lakes, check-dams and dried rivers of these areas. This Jal Shakti and availability of grass are also responsible for unprecedented 20% increase in milk production. Besides, in order to utilize every drop of rain water, we have developed the best water and irrigation management in the Country.

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¾ As against provision of Rs. 1559 crore for the year 2007-08 under Water Resources Department, a provision of Rs. 1630 crore is proposed for the next year. ¾ A provision of Rs. 40 crore is proposed for irrigation management with a view to providing participatory irrigation to more groups of farmers. ¾ A provision of Rs. 50.72 crore has been proposed for extension, rehabilitation and modernization of irrigation schemes, in order to create more irrigation capacity as a part of water management and through present irrigation schemes for providing sufficient water to marginal farmers. ¾ A provision of Rs. 139.98 crore has been proposed for deepening check-dams and lakes covered under the Sardar Patel participatory Water Conservation Project. ¾ It is proposed to provide Rs. 20 crore for taking up works of minor irrigation required during the period of scarcity. ¾ A provision of Rs. 25 crore is proposed for conversion of Kharikat Canal, which is passing through Ahmedabad City into R.C.C. duct and for beautification of the areas surrounding this canal. Sardar The Central Government has declared 14 river projects as national Sarovar assets. Though the Central Government has announced to bear 90% of the Project cost of such projects, various projects developed on Narmada river have been excluded from the list. We are, however, determined to complete the Sardar Sarovar Project. An amount of Rs. 10,978.63 crore has been spent from inauguration to 2001 on this project. Given the importance of the project, we have spent Rs. 14,313.20 crore from 2001 to December, 2007. While there is a shortage of electricity in the country, Gujarat has given 9659.682 million units of electricity to the country in a short span of time from this project. The height of the dam on Sardar Sarovar Project, the lifeline of the State, has been raised from 110.64 mt. to 121.92 mt., as a result of which, more water will be stored and water required for irrigation and drinking purposes will be available. With all the units of the power houses becoming functional, out of total 1450 MW environment-friendly hydro- electric capacity, uptill now one thousand crore unit electricity has been generated which has yielded the income of Rs. 320 crore to the State. It is planned to complete construction of main canal upto the boundary of Rajasthan during next financial year.

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As against the provision of Rs. 3193 crore for the year 2007-08 under Narmada Division, a provision of Rs. 3440 crore is being proposed. Sujalam The progress of the ambitious Sujalam Sufalam Scheme is Sufalam satisfactory. Under this scheme, one million acre feet flood water of Yojana Narmada is allocated to North Gujarat, works of laying seven pipe lines out of eight pipelines is near completion. Under Sujalam Sufalam Scheme, it is proposed to construct 107 big check-dams in Surendranagar District, out of which, works on 100 check- dams have been completed. In the Kachchh area, works for 16 bandharas have been completed while works on 24 bandharas are in progress. Besides, works on Panam High Level Canal, Kadana Left Bank High Level Canal and Sant Road Weir are in progress. Under this scheme, whether it is check-dams or farm ponds or drinking water in the villages or bandharas to control salinity, people of the State have benefited with drinking water and farmers have benefited in agriculture. In these areas, agriculture till today has been rainfed, with only Kharif crop being available; but after Sujalam Sufalam Spreading Canal, besides, Kharif crop, now Rabi crop is also available in these areas. Opportunities for summer crop have been created in some areas. As a result, farmers are benefited economically. Total 32 schemes covering 4904 villages of 10 districts for drinking water have been included in this scheme and upto December, 2007, works of providing water to 2500 villages have started and a scheme providing drinking water to additional 1463 villages is in progress. Drip Government has undertaken on large scale drip and sprinkler micro- Sprinkler irrigation, as a result, till now, drip-sprinkler irrigation has been successfully Scheme accepted in 70728 ha. area. Government is committed to provide these benefits to the farmers by adopting this modern technology. Salinity The State has a 1600 km. long sea coast, which has aggravated the Control salinity in the adjoining land affecting its production capacity and this has adversely affected the quality of the underground water of this area. Under the Sagarkhedu Yojana, a provision of Rs. 162 crore is proposed for undertaking various works of salinity ingress control. Kalpasar Kalpasar Project aims to meet the long term needs of drinking water and power of the State. The first phase works of land survey and marine survey are completed. Report about environment sanction through NEERI- Nagpur, is in the last phase of completion and after it is finalized, the same will be sent to the Central government for environmental sanction.

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The Government has appointed a high level expert advisory group for various studies for this project. A provision of Rs. 40 crore is proposed for next year. Panchayat As against a provision of Rs. 543.51 crore made in the year 2007-08 under Panchayats and Rural Housing Department, a provision of Rs. 681 crore, with an increase of 25.30%, is proposed for this year. We are aware that if village prospers, country prospers. Jyotigram Yojana has contributed significantly in making villages of Gujarat prosperous. With the noble intention that villages of Gujarat are not left behind in the 21st Century, it is planned for the first time in India to connect villages through broadband connectivity so that they can avail of the advantages of modern science, information technology, which would be made available to every house-hold. Horizons of knowledge and science may spread and villages become “e-gram-vishwa-gram”. Broadband connectivity will make education in villages, tele medicine, veterinary services, market linkage in agriculture production and basic changes in the modern agriculture easily accessible. In other words – “e-gram-vishwa- gram” campaign and Broadband connectivity will be the scientific Kamdhenu in every village of the State. Through this e-connectivity, gram panchayats will be provided with facilities of internet, video-conferencing and multi-casting broadcast and all gram panchayats will be able to talk with one another without any expenditure with the help of Voice over ip (Voip). For this purpose, a provision of Rs. 40 crore is proposed for the next year which is an increase of 33% as compared to 2007-08. The government is committed to provide infrastructure facilities to the villages as are available in the cities. As a result, government has decided to implement a scheme to provide infrastructural facilities to such villages that have a large population and are rapidly heading towards urbanization. A provision of Rs. 50 crore is proposed for repairing internal roads of such villages, construction of new roads, providing street-lights and to provide non-conventional energy where required and to provide pure drinking water to every house and to provide for sewerage system for management of sewerage water. Under the “Sardar Patel Awas Yojana”, a total 2,67,464 houses have been constructed till now. A provision of Rs. 90 crore is proposed to construct approximately 26 thousand houses in the forthcoming year under this scheme.

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The State government has planned to implement the commitment made for 30 developing talukas to bring them to the level of developed talukas in five years. A provision of Rs. 60 crore is proposed by increasing the grant allocated to each taluka from Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 2 crore in the ensuing year for the all-round and rapid development of these talukas. Out of this, a substantial amount of Rs. 38 crore is proposed to be allocated to the tribal areas. Industries Gujarat has reached the top in the field of industrial investment. However, if the State has to achieve a growth rate of 11.2 per cent in the ensuing Eleventh Five Year Plan, it is essential to achieve a growth rate of 14.5 per cent in the field of industrial production, for which, the State requires to take big strides. In the development of our country, the contribution of the unorganized sector has been noteworthy. But in the entire country, this sector has remained totally neglected. Therefore, Gujarat has decided to formulate a separate policy for the overall development of the unorganized sector. It is planned to focus on the important aspects such as skill formation of workers of the unorganized sector and their social security. A comprehensive package of Rs. 100 crore is being earmarked for this purpose. Traditionally, performance of Gujarat has been exemplary in the industrial area. However, with the intention to reach new heights, Gujarat is marching ahead to infuse new life in overall planning and it is essential for the government to augment employment opportunities through development of industries. Instead of keeping the 1600 km. long coastal area restricted for import-export activities, we want to strengthen the shipping industries by establishing huge shipping yards. Ample opportunities are available for repairing/maintenance of ships. Saurashtra and Kachchh are equipped with traditional skills in automobiles and therefore, we intend to take benefit of this opportunity. Special Economic Zones (SEZ) are now a universally accepted phenomenon. In Gujarat, the SEZ have world-class infrastructural facilities for industrial production and therefore, they attract investors from the world over; similarly, the Delhi-Mumbai Corridor, approximately 40 per cent of which passes through Gujarat, will form a backbone for the industries to break new records. The industrial world of Gujarat will expand in all directions with development of ports, hinterland, Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor and the newly constructed eastern highway. The industrial development will not be

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restricted to the golden corridor of Gujarat only; but with the industrial capacity to provide employment to the entire State, it will have the potential to turn the State into “Golden Gujarat”. As the first phase of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Dholera, Sanatalpur, Halol and Dahej-Vilayat regions will be developed as Special Investment Regions. Against the provision of Rs. 640.85 crore made for year 2007-08 under the Industries and Mines Department, proposed provision for the next year is Rs. 896 crore with an increase of 39.81%. Hon’ble Speaker Sir, the Global Investor Summits held in the years 2003, 2005 and 2007 have generated unprecedented response from industrial houses in India and abroad for making investments in Gujarat. In the summits organized during the years 2003 and 2005, MOUs totaling Rs. 1,72,228 crore were signed, out of which, projects totaling Rs. 1,35,263 crore have been either completed or are nearing completion. In the Summit organized during the year 2007, proposals for huge investment in the fields of industries, IT and urban development, totaling Rs. 6,66,000 crore were received, thereby creating the possibility of 21 lakh direct employment opportunities in the State. Encouraged by this tremendous response, government has started working on the Fourth Global Investor Summit scheduled for January, 2009. In order to make industrial development in non-developed and semi- developed areas, a new scheme will be planned for establishment of industrial estates through public-private partnerships for which a provision of Rs. 50 crore is proposed. It has been planned to impart training through anchor institutes at the cost of Rs. 35 crore, so that industries of various fields can be provided with trained manpower. It is planned to provide infrastructure for training at the cost of Rs. 20 crore in the field of gems and jewellery. Mineral Mineral Policy for research, mining and surplus value addition for industrial Development purposes of minerals is under implementation. By upgradation of available bauxite in the districts of Kachchh and Jamnagar, a huge alumina plant; and for utilizing lime-stone of Kachchh, a cement plant, jointly with a private company will be established. MOUs have been signed to establish industries based on Manganese such as E.M.D. plant and Ferro-Alloys plant in the district of Panchmahals.

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Geo-park exhibiting crores of years old geological remains in the lime-stone areas of Lakhpat and Abadasa talukas of Kachchh district will be established in the next year. A geo-chemical mapping project in about 23000 sq. km. area of Kachchh has been undertaken, which will be useful in tapping new mineral resources as well as agriculture and environment. Fisheries Under Sagarkhedu Yojana, in ports of Porbandar, Veraval and Mangrol, works of sanitation as per European Union norms have been undertaken. It is proposed to provide basic facilities for fish landing centres. A provision has been made for marketing intervention. It is also proposed to provide facilities for inland aqua-culture. The state government has planned to provide bio-metric identity cards to the fishermen, so that they can be spared from the harassment by foreign countries. Fisheries Department and other State authorities can determine the nationality of these fishermen on the basis of these identity cards. When fishermen apprehended by foreign countries are released, for the purpose of their identity and to eliminate hardships of fishermen during natural calamities, these identity cards will be helpful. It has also been planned to provide Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation to the fishing boats in order to aid them in remaining within international border. As against provision of Rs. 25 crore in the last year, now a provision of Rs. 50 crore is proposed for this year. The Group Insurance Scheme implemented for the fishermen has been upgraded and insurance cover of Rs. 50,000/- is increased to Rs. one lakh. Energy Every corner of the Country is reporting energy crisis. As per a recent survey, there is electricity shortage of 5000 crore units in the Country comprising 12% during peak load and 8% being at base load. During this time, Gujarat has provided an excellent example of electricity management. Rural employment has been strengthened by adopting the Jyotigram Yojana, which has empowered the rural people by improving their standard of living enabling the electricity board of the State to come out red and in the process preventing economic disaster. Similarly, average plant load factor (PLF) of established power stations has been increased from 60/65% to 80% and generation has reached to approximately 500 crore units. Electricity consumers are satisfied only when available infrastructure facilities for electricity transmission are effective. This sector was neglected in the past; but now, facilities for the same are provided.

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As Jyotigram Yojana has electrified villages of Gujarat, our government has undertaken to remove darkness from the houses of poor. We are committed to spread the light of hope in the house of poor by providing house-hold electricity connection at concessional rate to the Scheduled Tribes, the Scheduled Castes and poor people of rural/urban areas. It is planned to provide this benefit to about 2,75,000 families with a provision of Rs. 86.50 crore. A provision of Rs. 5.30 crore is proposed for the next year for free electrification of 13,033 tribal beneficiaries of primitive groups. It is planned to increase electricity generation capacity of 11164 MW in the State during the 11th Five Year Plan and to strengthen energy sector in the State, it is proposed to increase provision from Rs. 612.40 crore to Rs. 748.50 crore in this year which reflects determination of the State government. In the coming year, the government is thinking to issue letter of intent for establishment of a power station having capacity of 360 MW at Dhuvaran and Lignite based 500 MW at Bhavnagar. Gujarat government has accepted the importance of non-conventional energy when global warming has become an issue of concern. During the short period of one year, we have achieved a significant addition by establishing 625 MW electricity generation capacity. It is planned to generate additional 800 MW of electricity in the next year. In order to draw attention of the society towards solar-energy and to make it a part of daily life, the government has decided to make Gandhinagar, a Solar City for which, a provision of Rs. 5 crore is proposed. Petroleum Gujarat has created its own identity as the “Petro-capital” of the Country by making big strides in the field of petroleum. Economy based on gas is the need of time and Gujarat has taken a lead in that direction. Gujarat has started providing infrastructure facilities for gas production for house hold use, transportation, energy production and for use in factories. Similarly by establishing the Petroleum University, Gujarat has successfully planned to provide trained manpower in the field of petroleum. The State government is determined to establish an economy based on gas, therefore, about 1170 km. gas-grid have been established in 14 districts for transportation of gas. It is planned to undertake works for establishment of about 800 km. of gas-grid connecting other districts and areas of the State.

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Environment is benefited by usage of C.N.G.; but at the same time, people from poor and middle classes have also been economically benefited. In the State, there are 100 C.N.G. stations working at present and it is planned to establish other 50 stations in the coming year and 300 more C.N.G. stations will be established during coming five years. There is an overall crisis of fuel. However, the State government has made advanced planning and obtained two blocks in Egypt, three in Greece and three in Australia for Crude oil and gas exploration through Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation of the State. Besides, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation jointly with ONGC obtained four blocks for exploration in Gujarat in the NELP Round Bidding and it has succeeded in becoming as on-shore block operator in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh and off-shore block operator in Mumbai. Roads and As against a provision of Rs. 1476.27 crore for the year 2007-08 Building made for Roads and Building Department, a provision of Rs. 1650 crore is proposed for the next year which shows increase of 11.77%. With the object of providing better infrastructure facilities and to make them more useful, we have brought revolutionary strategic change in the field of construction of roads for the State, and as a part of that, it has been planned to carry forward works of Pragati Path, Vikas Path and Pravasi Path. A provision of Rs. 209 crore is proposed for roads of approximately 627 km. As private investors have also come forward in the field of providing infrastructure facilities, the State government has taken benefit of this and has planned to undertake improvement of the roads of approximately 3400 km. with private investment of about Rs. 9000 crore. It is also planned to undertake improvement of the roads of about 1800 km. at the cost of approximately Rs. 2000 crore. ¾ The state government has proposed the provision of Rs. 1501 crore for the development of roads in the coming year, which is an increase of 16% compared to the provision made in the last year. ¾ The roads of one thousand km. will be converted into four-lanes and six-lanes on the basis of Viability – Gap Funding as well as Build, Operate and Transfer, under which, roads of Ahmedabad – Viramgam – Maliya, Rajkot – Jamnagar – Khambhaliya, Halol – Godhra – Shamalaji, Bagodara – Vasad, Bhavnagar – Dholera – Vataman – Dholka – Sarkhej – Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar – Vallabhipur – Dhandhuka – Bagodara – Bhuj – Bachau and Nakhtrana – Panandhro are included.

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¾ The government has sanctioned five big rural road improvement schemes with assistance of Rs. 1695 crore from NABARD. Under this scheme, improvement of rural roads of 7255 km. will be undertaken which will benefit 32 lakh rural people and 3710 villages will get good road connections. ¾ Under Kisan Path Yojana, improvement of rural roads of 4350 km. in two phases at the cost of Rs. 320 crore has been sanctioned. Out of which, a provision of Rs. 50 crore is proposed for improvement of roads of 221 km. Ports 28% of the total cargo of all the ports of the nation is handled at the ports of Gujarat. Besides, Gujarat has share of 73% of the total cargo from medium and small ports of the Country. ¾ In past, 1600 km. long coast line of Gujarat has remained neglected. Since last few years, development of ports is progressing rapidly; but our government has not paused there after development of ports and has adopted three- track approach of development, which includes planning of port development, development based on ports and ambitious development of Sagarkhedu of coast line. Following are envisaged to accelerate this three-track development. ¾ Uptil now, two L.N.G. terminals at Dahej and Hajira have become functional. With two new joint venture projects at Mundra and Pipavav, there would now be four functional L.N.G. terminals in the State. ¾ Offers have been invited for nine green-field ports of the State at Mahuva, Khambhat, Sutrapada, Vansi-Borsi, Mithi Viradi, Simar, Bedi, Modhva and Maroli. Offers for existing site of Dahej and new site near Porbandar are invited. ¾ Offers have also been invited for ports at Navalakhi, Magdalla, Okha and Bhavnagar for extension and improvement through strategic partnership. Schemes of extension of Captive Jetties by private companies have also been undertaken. ¾ Ship breaking industry in Gujarat is well developed. Attention was, however, not centred around ship building industry. Our government has taken new initiatives for developing ship building/repairing yards, private ports, jetties, captive jetties, VTMS system, training and introduction of new marine courses, tourism passengers and implementation of scheme relating to RO-RO ferry services at 22 coastal areas of the State, which will prove beneficial directly or indirectly to the Sagarkhedu and additional opportunities of employment will be available.

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¾ During the next year, it has been envisaged to undertake developmental schemes on the existing ports of Gujarat Maritime Board with an expenditure of Rs. 175 crore and there is a possibility that private investment to the tune of Rs. 4267 crore shall be made. ¾ It is estimated that 160 million metric tonne traffic will be handled from the small ports of Gujarat during the next year, which can be considered as a unique achievement. Road Government has implemented a scheme to provide free commuting Transport once in a day in the buses of Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation to girls living in rural areas and who are studying in primary, secondary, higher secondary schools and colleges, so that literacy rate among rural girls may improve and their higher education can be facilitated. ¾ Computerization of 10 check-posts falling under Motor Vehicle Department has increased the revenue collected from goods vehicles and it has facilitated communication of information among the Police Department, the Excise Department and the Sales Tax Department. ¾ As a part of the ongoing programme of replacing the old vehicles with the new ones in the fleet of Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation, 1000 new buses will be purchased during the next year, in addition to the 2,500 new buses added recently. Rs. 160 crore has been proposed. ¾ During the next year, State-of-the-art bus terminals of international standards will be built with public-private partnership for Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation. ¾ A Smart Card System will be introduced for students and regular commuters. Tourism In the global economy, tourism has become an economic activity that generates economic resources and employment on a very large scale. In many countries of the world, tourism is the backbone of the economy. Over the past few years, Gujarat has undertaken extensive efforts to develop tourism activities and to attract greater number of tourists to Gujarat. With the celebration of festivals like Navaratri Mahotsav, Patangotsav, Sharadotsav and Rannotsav, we intend to put the rich culture of Gujarat and its various places of pilgrimages on the World map. Following the unprecedented success of Patangotsav celebrated in Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Surat recently, Gujarat has carried out the very successful experiment to showcase the Rann of Kachchh to the World just a few days ago. It is a matter of significant importance that tourism provides employment to the poorest of the poor.

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¾ With the intention to develop tourist places in each district and with the purpose that the developed places are maintained properly to attract tourists, it has been envisaged to constitute district tourism society at the district headquarters. For this a proposed provision of Rs. 22 crore is proposed. ¾ The State government intends to develop tourist places with people’s participation and a project development fund will be formed for this purpose. ¾ It has been planned to set up a venture capital fund with the purpose of providing special help to the entrepreneurs. ¾ It has been planned to develop 6 major places of pilgrimage in the State along with other religious places located in various districts. Home Against the provision of Rs. 175.20 crore in the year 2007-08 under the Home Department, provision of RS. 204.65 crore has been proposed for the next year with an increase of 16.81 crore. ¾ With the purpose of strengthening law and order situation in the State and to make it more efficient, it has been planned to establish new Police Stations at Vadgam, Khatodara, Punagam, Amroli, Adajan, Randhikpur, two new women Police Stations at Vadodara and Jamnagar. Apart from this, it has also been planned to establish a new Police Station by bifurcating Godhra City Police Station and upgrade Dahej, Kalavad, Radhanpur, Jafrabad, Rajula Police Stations. ¾ To investigate financial frauds, it has been planned to set up a new Cell under the direct control of C.I.D. (Crime and Railway), and also to set up a new Cell in the City Crime Branch of Ahmedabad City for prevention of cyber crimes in the State. ¾ It has been planned to open 17 ACB Police Stations in the seven newly formed districts of the State to effectively control the menace of corruption and to strengthen the performance of Anti-Corruption Bureau. Planning has also been made to provide ambulance vans to Junagadh district jail, Chhota Udepur Sub-jail, Modasa, Gondal Sub- jails with the purpose of providing emergency medical treatment to the prisoners of the jails. ¾ The 14 units of the State Civil Defence Organizations are being equipped with Quick Reaction Teams. ¾ Provision of 60 crore for modernization of Police Force, supply of modern and effective weapons, vehicles, computerization of Police Housing, has been made.

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¾ Proposed provision of Rs. 7 crore to set up police stations, district offices and construction of police accommodations in the tribal areas of the State. ¾ Proposed provision of Rs. 24.20 crore for Border Area Development Programme in three districts of the State. ¾ When it is now universally accepted that women have proved their mettle in every sphere of life, it is now planned to establish a separate Mahila Commando Unit in the Gujarat Police. Judiciary Delayed justice is a matter of concern in civil society. Government has taken various initiatives to solve this problem. The series of courts established in the State of Gujarat are unprecedented in the entire Country in the last 45 years. Through Lok Adalats, Gujarat has commenced a legal system whereby one can get justice at the cheapest possible rate of 64 paise. Similarly, 2.44 lakh cases have been disposed off by 94 evening courts that have been formed. In order to ensure quick justice, 61 courts have been formed in the last five years and 1451 new posts have been created in the courts. Consequently, number of pending cases is reduced to 24 lakh from 108.33 lakh cases. Against the provision of Rs. 58 crore in the year 2007-08 under the Legal Department, provision of Rs. 69.25 crore has been proposed for the next year, with an increase of 19.40 per cent. ¾ Establishment of 2 special courts at Ahmedabad and Surat to deal with cases of Anti-corruption Bureau. ¾ Under the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana, 6 additional special courts at Navsari, Valsad, Dahod, Narmada, Himmatnagar and Patan to deal with cases under the Atrocity Act. ¾ One new Court of Additional District Judge at Modasa. ¾ A Sanitation Court at Ahmedabad under ‘Nirmal Gujarat’. ¾ Two Labour Courts at Jamnagar and Mehsana. ¾ Proposed provision of Rs. 7.34 crore for establishment of full-time courts at Vaghodia, Kalyanpur, Becharaji, Ghoghamba and full-time courts of Civil Judge and JMFC at Halvad, Sayla, Ghogha, Gadhada, Naswadi. ¾ 20 Nari Adalats have been established in the State.

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Science and Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Application and Geo-Informatics Technology (BISAG) is a State level institute. With the help of geo-informatics technique, this institute has prepared an atlas that may prove very useful for the planning in backward talukas. It is envisaged to prepare similar atlas for the rest of the talukas of the State. Moreover, it has been planned to start Masters and Ph.D. level courses in Geo-Informatics in future at the academy of Geo-Informatics located in the premises of this institute. Common service centres and E-gram are being connected through broadband and at the same time, preparation of Gujarat Portal is also underway to provide several important citizen-oriented information and services of the State Government by using this facility. On the fourth Thursday of each month, pending issues of the people are solved by Hon’ble Chief Minister through the “Swagat” programme. The government wants to reach to the taluka level through video- conferencing to provide further momentum to this programme. A project will be taken-up to upgrade the GSWAN apparatus upto the taluka level. Civil Supplies Against the provision of Rs. 12.60 crore in the year 2007-08 under Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, provision of Rs. 35.45 crore has been proposed with an increase of 181.34 per cent. Under the “Antyoday Yojana”, the government has covered 7.95 lakh extremely poor families from amongst those living below poverty line. Revenue The Revenue Department is functioning for the welfare of common man. Till now, outdated systems were in place. Our government has undertaken various schemes to provide services through modern technology and E-governance to bring transparency in the work and also to make the procedure user-friendly. This includes quick availability of land-records, documents etc. and also reduction in the disputes with regard to titles of land. ¾ Under the ‘e-Dhara’ Project’, computerization of two main statements of records, i.e.; 7-12 and 8-A has been completed in the entire State. Scanning and digitization of village form No. 6 has been undertaken. ¾ Proposed provision of Rs. 18 crore in 2008-09 for setting up 11 new Mamlatdar offices and construction and modernization of 4 district service centres. ¾ As a part of demarcation of district lands, complete re-survey will be undertaken for Jamnagar District as a pilot project. ¾ Scientifically prepared Jantri will be implemented from the next year.

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¾ It has been planned to start the e-stamping system in Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and Junagadh during the next year. ¾ Proposed provision of Rs. 160.95 crore to Gujarat State Disaster Management (GSDMA) Authority for their various activities. ¾ Planning of financial assistance by GSDMA for construction of Institute of Seismological Research and also to carry out various research activities. ¾ Planning of financial assistance to meet the expenditure of construction and administration of the institute for capacity building by GSDMA. It has been planned to complete the construction of 22 district emergency operation centres and to construct an ultra-modern State Emergency Centre at Gandhinagar during the next year. Planning has been made to operationalize the network of 5 Emergency Resistance Centres at Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and Gandhidham. State government has decided to implement “School Safety Programme” in the entire State by the year 2010. For this, planning has been made by the GSDMA with the help of Education Department and Non- Governmental Organizations. Planning has been made for various disaster mitigation activities like generation of awareness, publicity and training etc. during the next year. Planning for procurement of various equipment for disaster mitigation capacity building, construction and maintenance of “Smruti Van” to commemorate the victims of the earthquake and training for disaster management by the GSDMA. Labour and ¾ Proposed provision of Rs. 127 crore for the next year with an Employment increase of 58.75 per cent against the provision of Rs. 80 crore for the year 2007-08 under Labour and Employment Department. ¾ Compared to the employment provided by Employment Exchanges in 2006, there has been two-fold increase in Gujarat. Besides, Gujarat has ranked first in the Country in providing employment during the last five years. It is a matter of great pride for all of us. ¾ It has been planned to start 20 new ITIs in the Vanbandhu and Sagarkhedu regions. It has been envisaged to create such facilities in the 47 talukas of the State where facilities for vocational training are not available.

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¾ Keeping in view, the new opportunities generated owing to globalization, it has been planned to introduce 50 new subjects in the ITIs during the next academic term. During the next year, 10 more ITIs will be upgraded as Centre of Excellence. ¾ It has been envisaged to provide health insurance coverage to BPL workers and their families of un-organized sectors under the National Health Insurance Scheme. Youth ¾ It has been planned to promote and sustain the traditional art of the Services and artists belonging to the extremely backward castes like Turi-Barot, Cultural Vadi, Nat, Bharathari. Activities. ¾ With the purpose of providing outlet to the dormant capacities of the spastics and physically challenged youth and acknowledge them publicly, a scheme called “Umang Utsav” has been contemplated. ¾ With the completion of modernization of the State Central Library at Gandhinagar, the library will be established as “Gujarat Knowledge Centre”. ¾ Proposed provision of Rs. 5 crore for appropriate and advanced planning for the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the State of Gujarat. ¾ The great revolutionary and freedom fighter, late Shri Shyamji Krishna Verma struggled untiringly to liberate India from the British rule. Government has allotted 152 acres of land at his birth place in Mandavi in Kachchh district to create a monument in his memory. Provision of Rs. 5 crore has been proposed to erect a glorious monument namely “Kranti Tirth” Sports ¾ Rural Olympics are being organized in traditional folk festivals being held at Tarnetar and Devgadhbariya, so that traditional rural sports losing popularity among rural people can be revived and their energy can be used in proper direction. Four rural Olympics were organized till date in which 13,973 sports persons had participated. ¾ Swami Vivekanand Mountaineering Training Institute at Junagadh and Mt. Abu is imparting training to children and young people of the State, so that they become adventurous. ¾ 25 acre of land is allotted at Gandhinagar for establishment of a Sports Complex of State level. ¾ The Sports persons of Gujarat have won 149 medals during the year 2007-08.

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¾ Gujarat was not recognized in the Sports of Volley-ball, Swimming and Archery; however, during last four-five years, sports persons of Gujarat have performed magnificently. ¾ Girls of Gujarat have won Gold Medals in the National level School competitions, besides, they have brought laurels by winning five medals in Archery and 41 medals in Swimming during the last two years. ¾ 65 sports persons of the State reached at the international level. Thus, the youth of Gujarat has realized the slogan of “Jeetega Gujarat”, in the field of Sports also. Fiscal Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I am happy to announce that as against the Management size of Rs. 47000 crore fixed by the Planning Commission for the 10th Five Year Plan, the State Government has achieved 105% target by spending Rs. 49,415 crore. There has been a steady increase in the revenue receipts of the State. The revenue receipts which was Rs. 17,875 crore in the year 2002-03 is likely to increase to Rs. 38,278 crore in the year 2008-09. During the same period, revenue expenditure is also expected to be increased from Rs. 21,440 crore to Rs. 38,226 crore. However, due to fiscal discipline and expenditure control, the annual increase of expenditure is only 9%, as against an increase of 16% in revenue receipts. The State today occupies prime place in the field of fiscal management having increase of approximately 19% in plan expenditure during the year 2007-08. The State Government has achieved all the targets in the year 2006-07 embodied in Gujarat Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2005. Government has established Consolidated Sinking Fund and Guarantee Redemption Fund as a part of fiscal management and every year improvement in these funds is noted. The Consolidated Sinking Fund is of Rs. 3690 crore while Guarantee Redemption Fund is of Rs. 1420 crore approximately. The State is heading towards financial stability; because revenue expenditure is under control. There is revenue surplus of Rs. 1770 crore in the year 2006-07 which is expected to rise to the tune of Rs. 2340 crore as per revised estimates of the year 2007-08. The fiscal deficit is stabilized at less than 3% of State Gross Domestic Product. The State has already achieved the targets fixed under the Gujarat Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2005. Statements under the Gujarat Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2005, are placed along with the Annual Financial Statement for the year 2008-09. ********

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Accounts of Now I will review the actual receipts and expenditure for the year 2006-07. 2006-07 It was expected in the Revised Estimates that, due to net transactions during the year, there will be a surplus of Rs. 153.73 crore, but the accounts for 2006-07 show a deficit of Rs. 377.96 crore due to net transactions. (Rs. in crore) Revised Accounts Estimates 2006-07 2006-07 Consolidated Fund Revenue Receipts 3,04,59.92 3,10,02.22 Revenue Expenditure 2,86,57.07 2,92,32.13 Deficit/Surplus on Revenue (+) 18,02.85 (+) 17,70.09 Account Capital Receipts 88,82.26 77,48.58 Capital Expenditure, including 1,01,81.38 99,89.99 Loans and Advances, etc. Deficit/Surplus on Capital (-) 12,99.12 (-) 22,41.41 Account. (1) Consolidated Fund (Net) (+) 5,03.73 (-) 4,71.32 (2) Contingency Fund (Net) - (+) 73.61 (3) Public Accounts (Net) (-) 3,50.00 (+) 19.75 Total (1+2+3) Net transactions (+) 1,53.73 (-) 3,77.96

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Revised In the estimates of the year 2007-08, due to net transactions, the surplus was estimates of anticipated to be Rs. 329.58 crore. But, at the end of the year, due to net 2007-08 transactions in the revised estimate, the surplus is anticipated to be Rs. 15,17.94 crore. (Rs. in crore) Budget Revised Estimates estimates 2007-08 2007-08 Consolidated Fund Revenue Receipts 3,29,64.22 3,49,79.20 Revenue Expenditure 3,13,13.36 3,26,39.56 Deficit/Surplus on Revenue (+) 16,50.86 (+) 23,39.64 Account Capital Receipts 1,03,94.12 88,80.72 Capital Expenditure, including 1,14,40.40 95,02.42 Loans and Advances, etc. Deficit/Surplus on Capital (-) 10,46.28 (-) 6,21.70 Account. (1) Consolidated Fund (Net) (+) 6,04.58 (+) 17,17.94 (2) Contingency Fund (Net) - - (3) Public Accounts (Net) (-) 2,75.00 (-) 2,00.00 Total (1+2+3) Net transactions (+) 3,29.58 (+) 15,17.94 Estimates of The estimates of 2008-09 show a gross deficit of Rs. 8,76.20 crore as follows: 2008-09 (Rs. in crore) Budget Estimates 2008-09 Consolidated Fund Revenue Receipts 3,82,78.12 Revenue Expenditure 3,82,25.73 Deficit/Surplus on Revenue Account (+) 52.39 Capital Receipts 1,07,05.87 Capital Expenditure, including Loans 1,12,29.46 and Advances, etc. Deficit/Surplus on Capital Account. (-) 5,23.59 Consolidated Fund (Net) (-) 4,71.20 Contingency Fund (Net) - Public Accounts (Net) (-) 4,05.00 Total (1+2+3) Net transactions (-) 8,76.20 Now I will present Part-B of my speech. ------36