01 Feb 2024: THIS BUDGET IS ROADMAP TO ACHIEVE PM MODI'S VISION

Swapan Mahato , Photo Journalist , Freelance

DIGITAL DESK,2024: The Union Interim Budget 2024 was presented in Parliament on Thursday, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and introduced new schemes for farmers, women, and the middle class. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah emphasised that ‘The Union Budget draws the roadmap to achieve PM Modi’s vision of a Developed Bharat.’ He believes that this interim budget for the second term of the Modi government in the Amrit Kaal will prove to be the budget of 'Sankalp se Siddhi’. The budget brings new hope for farmers, women, and the middle class by highlighting the achievements of the Modi government in the last ten years on the journey to make India a leading nation in every sector. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, the budget sets the goal of making India completely Aatma-Nirbhar and developed by 2047. It introduces new opportunities for prosperity for farmers, focusing on promoting self-reliance in oilseeds on one hand and emphasising nano DAP usage and dairy development on the other. The plan to start the construction of two crore additional houses in the next five years will benefit the middle class. The country's people have witnessed the efforts of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which aims to provide millions of people free treatment of up to five lakh rupees. An important decision to connect Anganwadi workers and helpers with the Ayushman Yojana, allowing them to avail free treatment, has been made in the interim budget of 2024. Additionally, a crucial decision has been taken in this budget to promote vaccination of 9 to 14-year-old girls for the prevention of cervical cancer. The unprecedented decision to install rooftop solar energy systems in the homes of one crore families under the ‘Suryoday scheme’ will allow them to receive up to 300 units of free electricity per month, resulting in annual savings. The decision to provide interest-free loans of ₹ 75,000 crore to states over the next five decades will be a game-changer in strengthening the relationship between the centre and the states. The budget will also work towards providing new energy to the tourism sector. The budget's focus on upgrading the country's infrastructure to a global and modern standard is a significant step toward building a developed India. Furthermore, announcing three major railway corridors under the PM Gati Shakti initiative to enhance logistic efficiency and reduce costs has set a new direction for future India. The pace of highway construction in the country has tripled during the Amrit Kaal, and the number of airports has also more than doubled. Today, the modern Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat trains also establish a new identity for India on the world stage. With Modi's foresight and the skilful policies of Amit Shah, the dream of a fully developed and self-reliant India by the year 2047 will inevitably be realised.