Agartala, Feb 26 (KNN) The Tripura government presented a tax -free and zero-deficit budget of Rs 17,530.46 crore for the fiscal year 2019-20 along with several new schemes.

While tabling the budget, the state government announced a hike in social pensions and other schemes, including, subsidised sugar and formation of more self-help groups in the budget 2019-20.

Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma, while presenting the state budget for the fiscal 2019-20, said as many as 2,110 self-help groups will be formed and livelihood opportunities will be created for 52,030 families.

In his budget speech, Varma said that state government is making serious efforts to develop Tripura as the information technology hub of northeast India.

Under the Mini Dairy scheme of NABARD, 10,000 cows (2 cows per family) to women members of 5,000 families will be provided to give a boost to milk production in the state, for which the Tripura government shall provide 100 per cent interest subvention.

In his budget speech, the minister said sugar at subsidised rates will be supplied to households under all categories in the next financial year.

A total of 1,867 check dams will be constructed, which will create "enormous" opportunities for pisciculture, drinking water supply and irrigation, he added. (KNN/YV)