The five big budget themes before Nirmala Sitharaman
NEW DELHI : Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s pre-election budget is set to focus on welfare schemes for five key sections of society—women, poor, youth, farmers and tribals—as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) aims a third term in office on the back of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise of inclusive growth. Accordingly, allocations for existing schemes for these sections of the society are likely to see an enhancement while new schemes may be announced, two persons privy to discussions in the government said.
“Schemes meant for these sections of the society will get emphasis in the budget. For example, education and skill development will get special attention, addressing the aspirations of the youth," one of the two people said.
The Centre allocated over ₹1.12 trillion for the two departments handling school education and literacy and higher education in 2023-24. The welfare of women will also be a key pillar of Sitharaman’s budget speech on 1 February given Modi’s vision of women-led development.
In the recently held assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, women voters were a focal point and both Congress and BJP, which won the state poll, had offered schemes for women. For the ministry of tribal development, which implements schemes for the welfare of tribals, the allocation was raised sharply in 2023-24.
“That trend is set to continue in 2024-25 as well," said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. In the 2023-24 budget, the allocation for the ministry saw an increase of nearly 71%, a major part of which went for the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) programme that provides free education to children from scheduled tribes from classes six to eleven
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