Health, education find top slots in Chidambaram's mini budget

When Union finance minister P Chidambaram presents his mini-budget (vote on account) on February 17 he would give a final push to UPA's inclusive growth agenda by allocating higher funds to health and education sectors.

When Union finance minister P Chidambaram presents his mini-budget (vote on account) on February 17 he would give a final push to UPA's inclusive growth agenda by allocating higher funds to health and education sectors.

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Although the plan expenditure for 2014-15 is expected to remain same (Rs 5,55,322 crore) as in the current fiscal, Chidambaram has opted for an innovative way to reiterate priority areas for the UPA before 2014 general elections.

Within the same plan expenditure he is likely to increase allocation for health, education, railways and science.

But ministries like rural development, petroleum, chemical and fertilisers and information technology are likely to have their allocation cut.

The finance minister will also be increasing funds to the states by about Rs 10,000 crore so that social sector schemes can be pushed.