Next five years will be years of unprecedented development
New Delhi, Feb. 1-
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said the next five years will be years of unprecedented development to realise the goal of India becoming a developed country by 2047.
Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Interim Budget today. In her Budget speech, she said that Indian economy has witnessed a profound transformation in the last ten years and that the Modi government carried out structural reforms and implemented pro-people programmes.
She noted that the government will continue on path of fiscal consolidation to reduce fiscal deficit to 4.5% in 2025-26. She did not propose any changes relating to taxation and said that the government proposes to maintain the same tax rates for direct and indirect taxes, including import duties.
Presenting the interim budget ahead of the Lok Sabha Election, the Finance Minister said, “Our government is working towards development which is all round, all inclusive and all pervasive. We are working towards making India a Viksit Bharat by 2047”.
She said with the pursuit of “Sabka Saath” the government has assisted 25 crore people to “get freedom” from multidimensional poverty in the last 10 years.
“Our government will adopt economic policies that will sustain growth and contribute in powering investment and fulfill aspiration” she added.
The Finance Minister said the Indian economy has witnessed positive transformation in the last 10 years and the people are looking towards the future with hope . “In 2014, the country was facing enormous challenges but with Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas, the Narendra Modi-led government overcame those challenges” she said.
Speaking about the step taken in the agriculture sector, the Finance Minister said, “Crop insurance has been given to 4 crore farmers under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana. This assists the annadata in producing food for the country and the world and 1361 mandis have been integrated with 3 lakh crore trading volume.” She further added that for welfare ofpeasants,, every year, under PM Kisan Samman Yojana, direct financial assistance is provided to 11.8 crore farmers.
“Crop insurance is given to four crore farmers under PM Fasal Bima Yojana” she informed.
On digital infrastructure, she said all forms of infrastructure – digital, social, physical – are being built in record time.
Sitharaman said empowerment of women has gained momentum with 30 crore Mudra Yojana loans. Around 70 percent houses in rural areas under PM Awas Yojana have been given to women as single or joint owners.
“Abolishing Triple Talaq, and providing 33 % reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies are among the measures taken by the government to empower women ” Sitharaman pointed out.
On the Ayushman Bharat scheme, she said it will be extended to all Anganwadi and Asha workers.
She also added that all maternal and child healthcare schemes will be brought under one comprehensive scheme andthe government is enhancing the target for Lakhpati Didi scheme to Rs 3 crore from Rs 2 crore.
“Our government will adopt economic policies that will sustain growth and contribute in powering investment and fulfill aspirations,” the finance minister said.
Sitharaman spoke about the recent roof-top solarisation scheme, announced by PM Modi.
“Through roof-top solarisation, 1 crore households will be enabled to obtain up to 300 units of free electricity every month. This scheme follows the resolve of the Prime Minister on the historic day of the consecration of Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya,’ said FM Sitharaman.
“We expect that a government based on its stupendous work will be blessed again by the people with a resounding mandate” she added
