more-in Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Thursday presented a tax-free budget of ? 6,945 crore for 2017-18. Amid protest by All India N.R Congress and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Amma faction) over non-implementation of poll promises, Mr. Narayanasamy presented the annual financial with an outlay of ?4,445 crore for non-plan and ?2,500 crore for plan. The contribution from own resources was estimated to be ?4,022 crore. With key focus on agriculture, animal husbandry and infrastructure development, the Chief Minister announced the government decision to provide free electricity to motor pump sets used by farmers. The government had also decided to bear the expenditure towards farmer’s share of the insurance premium under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojan.’ The government also proposed to provide insurance cover for both Samba and Navarai crops covering 12,500 hectares. The AINRC and AIADMK members staged a walkout after a brief protest inside the Assembly. Highlights of Puducherry Budget 2017-18 Under Safe City Project, a sum of ? 50. 75 crore will be utilised to improve infrastructure in police force. Around 500 vacant posts in the police will be filled this financial year. A new fire station will be constructed at Bahour. Government plans to purchase four water tenders and 75 fire proximity suits. 28 more wards will be declared Open Defecation Free by June 5, 2017. An amendment will be made in the Pondicherry Occupants of Kudiyarapu Confirmation of Ownership Act, 1973 to assign patta to eligible occupants. A climate change cell will be set up at a cost of ? 1. 56 crore. Online registration of real estate projects. Driver Training Research Centre will be set up in 10 acre of land at Thengaithittu. Port to be operational next month. Insurance coverage for both Samba and Navarai crops covering 12, 500 hectares Proposes to strengthen irrigation infrastructure at a cost of ? 972.92 crore at Puducherry, ? 1,195.57 crore at Karaikal, ? 85.66 crore at Yanam and ? 23.16 crore at Mahe 12 digit Unique Identification number proposed for all breedable cattle, milch animals and calves.

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