Education gets a lion’s share, but provision missing for job creation - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Education gets a lion’s share, but provision missing for job creation

By, Patna
Feb 28, 2023 10:19 PM IST

In the education sector, the government has announced to recruit 48,762 primary teachers, 5,886 physical education trainers, 40,506 head teachers, 44,193 teachers in secondary schools, 89,734 teachers in higher secondary schools and 7,360 computer teachers.

The focus of the Bihar Budget 2023-24 once again revolves around the Nitish Kumar government’s “7 Resolves”, Jeevika and Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali programme, which involve several departments, though the lion’s share of the estimated expenditure once again expectedly goes to education.

People watch the state Budget at a shop in Patna on Tuesday. (Santosh Kumar/HT Photo)
People watch the state Budget at a shop in Patna on Tuesday. (Santosh Kumar/HT Photo)

The combined budget estimates for education, sports, art & culture for fiscal 2023-24 is pegged at 42,381.08 crore, which is 16.18% of the total outlay, but less than the revised estimate for 2022-23, which was 55,110.76 crore (19.30%).

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

In the education sector, the government has announced to recruit 48,762 primary teachers, 5,886 physical education trainers, 40,506 head teachers, 44,193 teachers in secondary schools, 89,734 teachers in higher secondary schools and 7,360 computer teachers. The government will also fill the position of over 6,000 head masters in upgraded higher secondary schools.

In engineering colleges and polytechnics, the government has plans to appoint 3,021 teachers, of which 522 have been appointed, while 217 new positions have been created for running new courses.

Health sector

Similarly, the budget estimate for health and family welfare sector is 16,703.83 crore (6.38%), which is less than the revised estimate of 20182.75 crore (7.07%) for 2022-23 fiscal.

In the health sector, the government is also going ahead with the regular appointment of 10,550 auxiliary nurses and midwife (ANM). The budget has also made provision of 800 crore for self-employment incentives under entrepreneurship schemes for SC/ST, women, EBC and youth. Under it, the beneficiaries get 5 lakh subsidy and an additional 5 lakh loan.

However, while the emphasis of the government has been on job creation in the year that will take it to 2024 parliamentary elections, there has been just 17.7% increase under the establishment and expenditure head. Experts say that in normal cases also, 10% hike is attributed to regular salary increments, dearness hike and inflationary impact and the government may have to allocate more resources for large-scale appointments.

Economist Prof NK Choudhary said there was nothing new in the budget compared to previous years and it lacked boldness and vision. “The size of the budget has increased by around 10 per cent while inflation is over six per cent. In real terms, it is no increase. Priorities of expenditure also don’t seem to change to generate hope. New appointments of over two lakh have been announced, but there is neither any timeline nor any commensurate budgetary provision. To sum it up, it lacks clarity and old ways have continued,” he said.

The government has announced a large number of recruitments in different sectors in keeping with its promise to create jobs. This includes 63,900 jobs through the Bihar Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission and technical service commission, besides creation of 75,453 posts in police for direct recruitment.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Arun Kumar is Senior Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times. He has spent two-and-half decades covering Bihar, including politics, educational and social issues.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On