Marginal rise for WCD Ministry, new savings scheme for women

Focus on integrating Ayush system in National Health ecosystem had got a boost in the Budget 2023-24 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The total allocation of budget to Ayush Ministry has increased by 20 percent to `3,647 crores. The budget has also emphasized on promoting evidencebased research in Ayush systems through Ayush research councils.

Budget allocation to centrally sponsored National Ayush Mission (NAM) has got 50 percent increase in allocation from `800 cores to `1,200 crores.

The budget allocated to the Women and Child Development Ministry, the nodal department of the government for the welfare of women and children, stood at Rs 25,448.75 crore in 2023-24, an increase of Rs 267 crore from Rs 25,172.28 crore allotted in 2022-23. The most significant announcement for women in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget speech was the proposal for the ‘Mahila Samman Saving Certificate’ with a fixed interest rate of 7.5 per cent for two years.

The deposit can be made in the name of a woman or a girl child. The maximum deposit amount has been kept at ` 2 lakh and the scheme will have a partial withdrawal facility as well.

For the ministry, the largest allocation has been for the Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 (Umbrella ICDS

- Anganwadi Services, Poshan Abhiyan, Scheme for Adolescent Girls) of `20,554.31

AUTONOMOUS BODIES GETS RAISE IN BUDGET crore. Mission VATSALYA (Child Protection Services and Child Welfare Services) has been allotted `1,472 crore and allocation for Mission Shakti (Mission for Protection and Empowerment for Women) is `3,143 crore in 2023-24, a dip from `3,184 crore in 2022-23.

The budget allocation for autonomous bodies is Rs 168 crore, a marginal increase from Rs 162 crore in the earlier budget. These autonomous bodies includeCentral Adoption Resource Agency (CARA), National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and National Commission for Women.

WHAT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR HEALTH, EDUCATION

z The ICMR Labs will be made available for research by public and pvt medical college faculty z Centre will appoint over 38,000 teachers for 700 plus Ekalavya model residential schools serving 3.5 lakh tribal students z Teachers’ training to be reenvisioned via innovation z District Institutes of Education and Training to be developed as vibrant institutes of excellence z National digital library to be set up for children trition, education, agriculture, water resources, and skill development. z The government is aiming to test seven crore people for sickle cell disease in tribal belts, and those who test positive will be given a colour-coded card z All cities and towns will be enabled for 100% mechanical desludging of septic tanks

Office of Mr. Anurag Thakur @Anurag_Office 157 new nursing colleges will be set up in Sahasthan along with the existing 157 medical colleges established since 2014. A mission will be launched to eliminate sickle cell anemia by 2047 through awareness generation and universal screening of 7 crore people in affected tribal areas.

However, the budget for the National Health Mission has been cut down to Rs 36,785 crore this year from Rs 37,165 crore in 2022-’23.

Sports I

`700 CRORE PLUS BOOST FOR SPORTS MINISTRY

n a year when the Indian athletes will compete at the Asian Games and prepare for 2024 Paris Olympics, the Sports Ministry has got a fillip with the government allocating Rs 3,397.32 crore, an increase of Rs 723.97 crore, in the Union Budget here on Wednesday.

One of the reasons for the reduced revised allocation for 2022-23 could be the postponement of the Hangzhou Asian Games, which will be held this year.

The ministry’s flagship programme, ‘Khelo India — National Programme for Development of Sports’ continues to be the govt’s priority, with it being allotted Rs 1,045 crore as against the revised allocation of Rs 606 crore during the previous financial year.

Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp #AmritKaalBudget paves the way to transform India into a knowledgebased economy. Highest-ever allocation of `1,12,899.47 crore for the education sector. Total allocation of `1,16,417.08 crore for the education and skill development sector in #AmritKaalBudget.

Smriti Z Irani @smritiirani

Congratulations to PM @narendramodi Ji & FM @nsitharaman Ji for a truly #AmritKaalBudget epitomising inclusive development & reinforcing economic fundamentals. Emphasis given to infra, tech, green energy & other areas will institutionalise India’s growth for a stronger tomorrow.