Gujarat’s spending on social services dips: Study

GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat government’s spending on social services has dropped in the recent years. According to ‘Pathey’ budget study group, the state ranked 10th in the country in spending on social services. The study found that in 2015-16 and 2016-17, Gujarat government spent 43.1% and 41.3% of the total budgetary allocations on social services.
Spending on social services is direct spending on social welfare services like education, health, water supply, welfare of marginalized community, while general services are salary, interest payment on debt and other such expenses.

Citing the official data of the Economic Survey of 2016-17 of the Government of India, ‘Pathey’ said that Gujarat ranks 11th in the human development index (HDI) among the Indian states.

According to the study, Gujarat has MMR (Maternal Mortality Rate) of 112 per lakh which is very high as compared to many pear group states. Gujarat ranks 20th in controlling IMR (Infant Mortality Rate) among the 21 large states in the rural sector. Gujarat is among the worst state in the Monthly Per capita Expenditure (MPCE) in rural and urban areas also, the study pointed out.

Gujarat on verge of bankruptcy: Dhanani

Speaking during the debate on the budget, Paresh Dhanani, leader of opposition in the state assembly, alleged that the BJP government has brought Gujarat to the verge of bankruptcy during its 22-year rule. “It gave no relief in taxes to the citizens but increased public debt manifold and spent huge money on paying interest on the debt,” he said, adding, “The state government in the budget has admitted that the debt will cross Rs 3 lakh crore next year.”