Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting the Interim Budget in Parliament on Thursday, ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections 2024. The Budget 2024 marks the final budget in the second term of Prime Minister Narendta Modi.
Tabling the Union Budget 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said, “When we (PM Modi-led government) assumed office in 2014, the country was facing enormous challenges. With ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ as its mantra, the government overcame those challenges.”
“…The Indian economy has witnessed a profound positive transformation in the last 10 years, The people of India are looking ahead to the future with hope and optimism. With the blessings of the people, when our government – under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi – assumed office in 2014, the country was facing enormous challenges with Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas as its mantra. The Government overcame those challenges in right earnest,” she said.
The finance minister further said India has high aspirations, pride in its present and hope and confidence for a bright future. “We expect that our govt based on its stupendous work will be blessed again by the people with a resounding mandate,” she said.
‘Need to focus on four major pillars’
The Finance Minister said the government needs to focus on four major pillars — poor, women, youth and annadatas. “Their empowerment and wellbeing will drive country forward,” she added.
“There is transparency and assurance that benefits are available for all eligible people, and the resources are distributed towards all eligible people without any discrimination. We are addressing systemic inequalities that have plagued our society,” the finance minister said.
Fruits of development started reaching people at scale
Sitharaman further said: “Fruits of development started reaching the people at scale. The country got a new sense of purpose. In the second term under PM Modi, the government doubled down on its agenda.”
Skill India Mission trained 1.4 crore youth
The Finance Minister said the Skill India Mission has trained 1.4 crore youth, upskilled and re-skilled 54 lakh youth, and established 3,000 new ITIs.
“A large number of institutional higher learning, namely 7 IITs, 16 IIITs, 7 IIMs, 15 AIIMS and 390 Universities have been set up,” she added.
FM Sitharaman on Nari Shakti
Sitharaman said female enrolment in higher education rose by 28 per cent in 10 years, in STEM courses, girls and women make 43 per cent of enrolment, one of the highest in the world.
“All these steps are reflected in the increasing participation of women in the workforce. Making triple talaq illegal, reservation of 1/3 seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies, over 70 per cent houses under PM Awas Yojana to women have increased their dignity,” she said.
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Budget 2024: Female enrolment in higher education rose by 28% in 10 years, says FM Sitharaman
