Aiming to strike a balance between completing the works promised in the ruling party's election manifesto and populist measures with an eye on the coming Lok Sabha polls, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today presented a Rs 2,21,201.19 crore annual budget for 2013-14.

While no new tax has been proposed, the Budget makes a provision of Rs. 7,787,80 crore for 219 new schemes and also earmarks Rs. 26,641 crore for further development of infrastructure facilities like roads, bridges and power.

The Budget allocation proposed for the next fiscal is 10 per cent higher than for the current financial year.

For fulfilling ruling party's election promise like loan waiver scheme for farmers, a provision of Rs. 750 crore has been made while another Rs. 200 crore has been allocated for free irrigation for farmers and Rs. 375 crore for farmers accident scheme, among others.

In his Budget speech, Yadav who also holds the Finance Ministry portfolio, said against the assurance of providing loan to farmers at 4 per cent interest, the government was making it available at 3 per cent as short term loan.

He said a sum of Rs 1200 crore have been earmarked for unemployment allowance and Rs 350 crore for "hamari beti uska kal yojna" for 10th pass girl students from minority community.

With regard to fulfilment of another promise, the Budget earmarks Rs. 600 crore for distributing two sarees each to all women above 18 years of age of the BPL families and blankets for those above 65 years of age and Rs. 400 crore for providing battery for solar energy run rickshaws.

In a decision that may not go down well with the main opposition BSP, the Budget has also made a provision of Rs. 40 crore for a rail overbridge which would pass over BSP state headquarters.

The proposed overbridge would also be close to Mayawati's residence in posh Mall Avenue locality allotted to her in the capacity of former chief minister.