Picture : ANI/ X
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Interim Budget of 2024 and during her long speech she listed out several measures of the government and what it proposes to do ahead.
Here are the highlights of Finance Minister’s speech :
– The Indian economy has witnessed profound transformation in last 10 years. In 2014, the country was facing enormous challenges, the government overcame those challenges and undertook structural reforms, pro people reforms were undertaken, conditions for jobs and entrepreneurship were set in, fruits of development started reaching people at scale, country got a sense of new purpose and hope, she says.
For the youth, FM Sitharaman says, “For our tech-savvy youth, this will be a golden era. A corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore will be established with 50-year interest-free loan provided. It will be for long-term financing or re-financing with low or nil interest rates.” pic.twitter.com/Yw9o7B3yoU
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2024
– Based on our stupendous work, we expect our government will be blessed again by the people with a resounding mandate.
– In second term, the government strengthened its mantra and our development philosophy covered all elements of inclusivity, namely social and geographical, Finance Minister Sitharaman tells Parliament.
With a whole of nation approach, the country overcame challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, took long strides towards Aatma Nirbhar Bharat and laid solid foundations for Amrit Kaal, she says.
Interim Budget 2024-25 | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, “Many growth and development-enabling reforms are needed in the state for realising the vision of Viksit Bharat. A provision of Rs 75,000 Crores as a 50-year interest-free loan is proposed this year to… pic.twitter.com/WzgHGbumvA
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2024
– The government has announced the extension of healthcare cover under Ayushman Bharat to all ASHA and anganwadi workers.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is the largest publicly funded health insurance scheme in the world that provides coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
Till December 27 last year, 55 crore people belonging to 12 crore families were covered under the scheme.
While presenting the interim Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said it is the government’s priority to adequately and timely finance MSMEs.
– “To address the fervour for domestic tourism, projects for port connectivity, tourism infra & amenities will be taken on our islands including Lakshadweep,” FM Sitharaman said in her budget speech.
– Capital spending for 2024-25 raised by 11 per cent to Rs 11.11 lakh crore or 3.4 per cent of GDP.
– The government will take up next-generation reforms to facilitate growth and the next five years will be of unprecedented development and golden moments to realise the dream of developed India by 2047
#WATCH | Interim Budget 2024-25 | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lists out ‘strategy for Amrit Kaal’.
“Our government will adopt economic policies that foster and sustain growth, facilitate inclusive and sustainable development, improve productivity, create… pic.twitter.com/eP7mGAchuZ
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2024
– “I propose to retain the same tax rates for direct and indirect taxes including import duties,” says FM
– “The fiscal deficit in 2024-25 is estimated to be 5.1% of GDP,” says Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
– “In the full budget in July, our Government will present a detailed roadmap for our pursuit of Viksit Bharat.”
– “Our government plans to set up more medical colleges by utilising the existing hospital infrastructure under various departments. A committee for this purpose will be set up to examine the issues and make relevant recomendations,” she says.
– Government will launch a housing scheme for deserving middle class to buy or build own houses
– PM Mudra Yojana has sanctioned 43 crore loans amounting to Rs. 22.5 lakh crore for the entrepreneurial aspirations of your youth, Finance Minister Sitharaman says in her budget speech. Fund of Funds, Startup India and Startup Credit Guarantee Schemes are assisting our youth, she points out.
– Every year under PM Kisan Samman Yojana, direct financial assistance is provided to 11.8 crore farmers, including marginal and small farmers, says Finance Minister Sitharaman in Parliament.
– Crop insurance is given to 4 crore farmers under PM Fasal Bima Yojana These are assisting farmers in producing food for the country and for the world, she points out.
– We need to focus on the poor, women, youth and farmers / Anna Data, says Sitharaman in her budget speech. Their needs and aspirations and welfare are our highest priority.
All four require and receive government support, their empowerment and well being will drive the country forward, says Sitharaman.
