The Prime Minister’s focus on the Women’s Reservation Bill and empowerment paved the way for heightened expectations. Fortunately, the budget announcement resonated with these aspirations.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget presentation, underscored the significance of women’s empowerment, recognizing their pivotal role across society. She highlighted the progress of the last decade, emphasizing entrepreneurship, improved living standards, and the elevation of dignity.
Commending Indian women’s active engagement in the workforce and their increased enrolment in STEM courses, Sitharaman noted that girls and women constitute a substantial 43% of enrolment, globally remarkable. Noteworthy government initiatives, such as allocating over 70% of houses under PM Awas Yojana to women, further enhance their dignity.
Crucially, Sitharaman announced key measures, including the disbursement of 43 crore loans totalling ₹22.5 lakh crore under PM Mudra Yojana, with an impressive 30 crore loans specifically earmarked for women in the last decade. Additionally, plans to promote cervical cancer vaccinations for girls aged nine to fourteen were revealed.
Highlighting the impact of self-help groups (SHGs), benefiting nine crore women, Sitharaman acknowledged their contribution to improving socio-economic conditions in rural areas. The success of these SHGs through skill enhancement to help women earn at least one lakh rupees, now known as ‘Lakhpati Didis,’ has spurred the government to raise the target from 2 crore to 3 crore.
Aligned with the overarching theme of addressing key categories, Sitharaman extended healthcare coverage under the Ayushman Bharat scheme to all ASHA and anganwadi workers. Her holistic approach reflects a dedicated commitment to advancing women’s economic, health, and social well-being.
‘Nari Sakti’ took centre stage as Sitharaman adorned herself in a blue-cream tussar silk saree with kantha handiwork on Budget Day, receiving a spoonful of dahi or curd for luck and auspiciousness from the President, another esteemed lady, Droupadi Murmu. Amid the financial revelations, a nod to science and technology with a budgetary increment signals a promising future for India. Prime Minister Modi’s post-budget commentary echoed the sentiment, hailing the fiscal plan as ‘innovative and inclusive,’ poised to empower all segments of society. Here’s to a brighter future for all in India!
