The Indian government's latest budget showcases a multifaceted approach to nation-building, emphasizing not only economic growth but also the importance of investing in its people, the economy, and fostering innovation, all while implementing crucial reforms. This blog post delves into the specific initiatives and measures aimed at creating a more prosperous, equitable, and technologically advanced India.
Investing in People
1. Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0
This program provides nutritional support to over 8 crore children, 1 crore pregnant women and lactating mothers, and about 20 lakh adolescent girls. The budget enhances its cost norms for nutritional support, ensuring better health outcomes.
2. Atal Tinkering Labs
The government plans to establish 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools over the next five years to foster curiosity, innovation, and a scientific temper among young minds.
3. Broadband Connectivity
Broadband connectivity will be provided to all government secondary schools and primary health centers in rural areas through the Bharatnet project, bridging the digital divide.
4. Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme
A new scheme will be implemented to provide digital Indian language books for school and higher education, helping students better understand their subjects in their native languages.
5. National Centres of Excellence for Skilling
The government will set up National Centres of Excellence for skilling to enhance the skills of the workforce, preparing them for future job markets.
6. Social Security for Online Platform Workers
The government will provide identity cards and e-Shram portal registration for gig workers, along with healthcare under the PM Jan Arogya Yojana, benefiting approximately 1 crore workers.
Investing in the Economy
1. Public Private Partnerships (PPP)
The government will encourage PPP projects in infrastructure, with each ministry creating a 3-year pipeline of projects and states encouraged to seek support from the IIPDF.
2. Support to States for Infrastructure
An outlay of ₹1.5 lakh crore is proposed for interest-free loans to states for capital expenditure and incentives for reforms, facilitating infrastructure development.
3. Asset Monetization Plan 2025-30
A second asset monetization plan will be launched to generate ₹10 lakh crore for new projects, enhancing public resources for development.
4. Jal Jeevan Mission
The Jal Jeevan Mission will be extended to 2028 with an enhanced outlay to achieve 100% coverage of potable tap water connections, focusing on quality infrastructure and operations and maintenance (O&M).
5. Urban Development
The budget includes provisions for urban development, building on previous initiatives such as the Urban Infrastructure Fund and Water and Sanitation programs. A fund will finance up to 25% of bankable projects, with the rest coming from bonds, bank loans, and PPPs.
6. Power Sector Reforms
The government will incentivize electricity distribution reforms and augment intra-state transmission capacity, allowing states to borrow an additional 0.5% of GSDP for such reforms.
7. Nuclear Energy Mission
A Nuclear Energy Mission for research and development of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) with an outlay of ₹20,000 crore will be set up, with at least five indigenously developed SMRs to be operationalized by 2033.
8. Shipbuilding
The Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy will be revamped, and large ships will be included in the infrastructure harmonized master list. Shipbuilding clusters will be facilitated to increase ship capacity.
9. UDAN Scheme
The UDAN scheme will be modified to enhance regional connectivity to 120 new destinations and carry 4 crore passengers in the next 10 years, supporting helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational, and North East region districts.
10. Greenfield Airports in Bihar
Greenfield airports will be facilitated in Bihar to enhance connectivity and promote regional development.
11. Western Koshi Canal Project
Financial support will be provided for the Western Koshi Canal ERM Project, benefiting farmers in the Mithilanchal region of Bihar.
12. Mining Sector Reforms
Mining sector reforms will be encouraged through sharing best practices and a State Mining Index. A policy for critical mineral recovery from tailings will also be introduced.
13. SWAMIH Fund 2
A new fund of ₹15,000 crore will be established as a blended finance facility, aiming for the completion of 1 lakh stressed housing units.
14. Tourism for Employment
The top 50 tourist destination sites will
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