With the announcement of the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2021-22 on Monday, Uttar Pradesh has been gifted with a long list of proposed projects. As seen in the provisions entailed in the budget, the state government has diverted its attention to the medical sector, allocating remarkably high amounts in this field. It is noteworthy that most of the slated developments will be witnessed in the state capital, Lucknow.
Lucknow to have the country’s second Bio-Safety Level-4 lab
Standing at ₹5,50,270.78 crores, the net amount for this year is over ₹ 37,410 crores more than the previous year’s budget. With a budgetary allotment of ₹1950 crores directed towards the medical sector, the government has amplified its vision about up-scaling the state’s medical infrastructure. According to the provisions listed in the budget, Lucknow would soon house a higher medical education facility called Honorable Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University.
Additionally, the institute of virology and infectious diseases under KGMU has planned to set up a Bio-Safety Level-4 lab in Lucknow, which would be the second lab of its kind in India. Not just this, the medical amenities at SGPGI would be ameliorated with the latest well-equipped lab and a separate improved facility for diabetic patients. It is notable that the state government had recently announced its aim to establish new medical colleges across the state, ensuring that each district houses at least one of such seats of higher education. As a part of this plan, the Uttar Pradesh budget encompassed the construction of the nine medical colleges in the state.
Keeping in view, the extraordinary circumstances of the current times, an amount of ₹ 50 crores has been allocated for COVID-19 prevention and extensive execution of the vaccination drives. Further, the state government has also planned to ensure that sufficient healthcare services are provided to the last beneficiary in line. For this, a budgetary provision of ₹50 crores has been made under ‘Mukhya Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’. With these initiatives, the state shall not only be successful in delivering better medical aid to its residents but also facilitate intensive research and accelerated economic progress.
Budget lists provisions for an array of developments in the city
In addition to a consolidated and renovated medical sector, the state budget also carries mentions for an array of other developments too. As an attempt to celebrate tribal lives and envision their development, Uttar Pradesh Tribal Museum will be constructed in Lucknow at a cost of ₹8 crores. Also, the city would provide space for a national inspiration site to be set up at a cost of ₹50 crores.
The Uttar Pradesh state government has been committed to attracting investments and its aspirations have been reflected well in the budget. In alignment with this, the plans propose the construction of a “state-of-the-art information technology complex” in Lucknow. Based on the public-private partnership, this establishment shall be built on an area of 40 acres in Nadarganj in front of the Airport. It has been agreed that the country’s largest incubation center shall be established in this facility.
Among other highlights of the ‘paperless’ budget, initiatives to boost farmers’ incomes and projects for the development of metro rail in Varanasi and Gorakhpur are the most important ones. If the the objectives of the latest budget are converted into reality, the state of Uttar Pradesh expects a comprehensive revamp.
