Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting her eighth consecutive budget in the Parliament. In her opening remarks, she said the government will realise the ‘sab ka vikas’ goal by stimulating balanced growth for all regions. She also announced a host of schemes for Bihar, which will go to polls later this year.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF SITHARAMAN’S BUDGET SPEECH
- We will create a National Institute of Food Technology in Bihar, which will enhance food processing in eastern India. It will create job opportunities for young people.
- A Makhana Board will be formed in the state to enhance the production, processing, value addition, and marketing of Makhana. Individuals involved in these activities will be structured into FPOs. The Board will offer guidance and training assistance to Makhana farmers and will also strive to guarantee they obtain the advantages of all applicable government programs.
- The government plans to develop more infrastructure in five IITs; it will also enhance IIT Patna.
- The Central government is set to raise the cap for the interest subvention scheme related to Kisan Credit Card from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
- The PM Dhan Dhany Krisihi Yojna will include 100 districts that have low productivity. It will improve agricultural output and increase storage at the panchayat level. This initiative will encompass 1.7 crore farmers. It will be initiated with states and intends to generate numerous opportunities.
- The government will initiate a six-year program aimed at attaining self-sufficiency in pulses, particularly concentrating on tur, urad, and masoor dals.
- A fund of funds aimed at startups will be established with a ₹10,000 crore investment from the government.
- The government plans to launch personalized credit cards with a ₹5 lakh ceiling for micro-enterprises.
- In the coming year, 10,000 additional seats will be created in medical colleges and hospitals; a total of 75,000 seats will be added over the next five years.
- The government aims to establish daycare cancer centres in every district hospital within the next 3 years.
