LUCKNOW, Feb. 12 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has proposed Rs.43,565.31 crore or 4.77% of the total budgetary outlay in the schedule of new demands (SND), giving a lion's share of Rs.10,695 crore to the panchayati raj department under this head in an indication of the importance of the panchayat polls slated later this year.

The public works department (PWD) was next with a proposed allocation of Rs.9,072.93 crore under the schedule of new demands.

Overall, the Uttar Pradesh government has earmarked Rs.32,090 crore for the panchayati raj department, marking a 67% increase over the previous fiscal. It is the fifth biggest allocation this year after basic education, energy, home and PWD. Similarly, an overall allocation of Rs.38,562.67...