The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): In a recent public address, Prime Minister of India lauded the 2024 Interim Budget, describing it as inclusive, innovative, and a significant step towards the country’s continued growth. He expressed his admiration for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her team for crafting a budget that he believes will fortify the foundations of a developed India by 2047, a vision he refers to as ‘Viksit Bharat’.
The Prime Minister highlighted the budget’s alignment with the aspirations of India’s youth. It includes a substantial allocation of Rs. 1 lakh crore towards research and innovation, coupled with extended tax exemptions for start-ups. He emphasized the balance maintained in the budget between controlling the fiscal deficit and allocating a record high capital expenditure of Rs. 11 lakh 11 thousand 111 crore. This investment is expected to spur modern infrastructure development and create numerous employment opportunities for the youth.
In a significant move to enhance railway travel, the budget proposes the manufacturing of 40,000 modern ‘Vande Bharat Standard’ coaches, aiming to upgrade passenger experiences across numerous routes in the country.
The Prime Minister also spoke of the government’s ambitious housing projects. More than 4 crore houses have already been constructed for the impoverished in rural and urban areas, with a new target set for an additional 2 crore houses. The initial goal of making 2 crore women ‘Lakhpati Didis’ has been raised to 3 crore, expanding the scope of female empowerment in India. The Ayushman Bharat scheme, known for its benefits to the poor, will now extend its benefits to Anganwadi and ASHA workers.
This budget places a significant emphasis on empowering the poor and middle class by creating new income opportunities. The Rooftop Solar campaign is set to provide one crore families with free electricity through solar panels, and surplus electricity can be sold back to the government, earning families an additional annual income of 15 to 20 thousand rupees.
A key highlight of the budget is the income tax remission scheme, anticipated to relieve nearly one crore middle-class individuals. Decisions beneficial to farmers include the introduction of Nano DAP, a new scheme for livestock, expansion of the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, and the Aatmanirbhar Oil Seed Abhiyan. These initiatives are aimed at increasing farmers’ incomes and reducing their expenses.
The Prime Minister expressed his best wishes to all citizens for this historic budget, marking it as a significant step towards India’s future development and prosperity.