It has roughly been a month and a half of the Modi Government coming into power that it is time to show the people, what they have in mind for the country’s development and welfare. The Railway budget was announced on 9th July by Union Minister, D.N. Sadananda Gowda. The budget received its share of praise and criticism with Mamata Banerjee displaying much displeasure.
On Thursday, 10th July, the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented the first union budget in the presence of most of his party’s eminent personalities. The Minister, in his speech, focused on the poverty of India. He also promised to initiate the Anti-Poverty program to wipe out the biggest stone on the way of a better economy. He also introduced numerous programs that are to be initiated, such as ‘Sab Ka Sath- Sab Ka Vikas’, ‘Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojna’, ‘Swachhata Abhiyaan‘ and many more.
To let you understand the latest Union Budget, One World News here lists out the major highlights of the session:
Entry Gate for FDI
Arun Jaitley in his budget has allowed the entry of Foreign Direct Investment in most of the government sectors. The FDI in defence has been increased to 49% from 26%, a major move indeed. The insurance sector can also receive 49% FDI.
Less Subsidy
The current NDA government prefers to provide subsidy to those, who need it. According to this budget, the subsidy will be decreased from most of the government sectors from where it earns revenue.
E-Visa
The Electronic Visa services will be started at nine airports, very soon.
Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission
For the development of the rural as well as urban areas, the ‘Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission’ will be initiated. The term ‘Rurban’ has been made by adding ‘Ru’ of rural and ‘Urban’ of the word urban. It displays a blended version of both the sides prevalent in our country.
100 Smart Cities
The finance minister has announced to build 100 smart cities near the big cities of our country. An investment of seven thousand sixty crores has been proposed for the project.
1000 crore for the improvement of Irrigation
To increase the production of crops and to help the farmers, the Govt. has decided to invest 1000 crores into irrigation. Facilitating this might improve the agricultural sector.
200 Crore for the erection of a Statue
The NDA Govt. has also decided to give 200 crore to the Gujarat Govt. to build the statue of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. (A dream project of Narendra Modi)
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojna
To supply electricity in every corner of the country, the Govt. has presented ‘Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana’.
Public banks will be sold hereafter
The Finance Minister has announced that from now onwards, the shares of public banks will also be sold.
National Rural Drinking Water Program
3,600 crore will be spent for the National Rural Drinking Water Program to provide clean water to rural areas.
4 New AIIMS
Four new All India Medical Institute of Sciences will be built on a budget of 500 crore. “Presently, Govt. medical colleges have been approved. It is proposed to add 12 more govt. medical colleges. In addition dental facilities will also be provided in these hospitals”, said Arun Jaitley.
He further added, “We also target to build an AIIMS in each of our states”.
Apart from these, the minister also focused on the security of women.
“It is a shame that, while the country in the world is a major player amongst the emerging economies; the apathy towards the girl child is still quite rampant in the many parts of the country. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana, the focus scheme which will help in generating awareness”, commented Minister.
The budget was good, but also some of the points made people to think about the current govt. Also, how much the new government follows its budget, is yet to be seen.
Have a news story, an interesting write-up or simply a suggestion? Write to us at info@oneworldnews.in
