The Uttar Pradesh government has earmarked Rs 2,500 crore for the Maha Kumbh in Allahabad next year and Rs 1,700 crore to widen and repair roads between religious cities in the state, besides setting aside Rs 250 crore for development projects in Ayodhya, displaying a firm focus on religion at a time the Ram temple has been inaugurated and the country gears up for general elections.

The BJP government on Monday unveiled a Rs 7,36,000 crore annual budget. Presenting the budget in the Assembly, finance minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said that the government had set aside Rs 100 crore to develop Ayodhya town and Rs 150 crore for the development of the newly built Maharshi Valmiki Airport there.

“Besides all this, we will develop Ayodhya and Varanasi as solar cities,” Khanna said. “Our budget is an assurance to the people that Ram Rajya has come.”

Addressing a news conference, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said: “The budget is dedicated to Lord Ram. Lord Ram is present in the beginning, middle and end of the budgetary provisions. It is a time for festivity in Uttar Pradesh.”

Khanna elaborated: “Our social and cultural strength has increased after the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, a city that is already one of the most sought after destinations for international tourists. We have allocated funds to develop Ayodhya, the birth place of Lord Ram, and are committed to ensure
that the town appears on the global map.”

Claiming that the government had kept every aspect of “the concept of Ram Rajya” in mind, Khanna said: “We have earmarked 25 per cent of the budget allocation for infrastructure, 17 per cent for education and 13 per cent for the development of agriculture. All this will be done in a transparent manner.”

“We have allocated Rs 2,400 crore for air connectivity in the state because it is important for the development of tourism,” he added.

In an attempt to woo youths, the government has allocated Rs 4,000 crore for free tablets and smartphones for this section.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the budget. “The budget is for the sake of a budget, it is not going to help the people. The BJP government is unable to understand that the budget should also be used wisely for the farmers, unemployed youths and the security of the people,” the former chief minister said.

“The government has forgotten its promise to double the income of farmers, give jobs to youths and provide security to the people,” Akhilesh said.

“The BJP government keeps 90 per cent of its budget allocation for 10 per cent rich people. It is silent on inflation, widespread corruption, the poor health system, the dilapidated power supply system and the potholes on the roads,” he added.