SAPTRISHIS TO GUIDE INDIA’S GROWTH

aptrishis, the seven ascetics extolled by the Vedas, were invoked in Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget for Financial Year 2023-24. A constellation is named after them. What do the mythological holy men have to do with the Union Budget? As the Finance Minister explained they form the government’s seven priorities--inclusive development, last mile growth, green

S growth, infrastructure and investment, unleashing the potential, youth power, financial sector---in the Amrit Kaal.

Inclusive growth carries forward the government’s agenda of ‘Sabka saath, sabka vikas’ for the welfare of Divyangjan (physically challenged), financially weaker sections, farmers, O BCs, SCs & STs. The Finance Minister outlined in her Budget speech a wide range of schemes for the benefit of agriculturists.

As the Finance Minister explained they form the government’s seven priorities—inclusive development, last mile growth, green growth, infrastructure and investment, unleashing the potential, youth power, financial sector— in the Amrit KaalAlso included for inclusive development are the health and education sectors, both important components requiring focus especially in the context of farmers and weaker sections of the society. Sitharaman announced four schemes for reaching the last mile.

In the case of infrastructure and investment the government announced an increase of 33.4% in capital outlay, increasing the Railways capital outlay by Rs 2.4 lakh cr, creation of a fund for development of modern infrastructure in Tier 2 and 3 cities and other schemes.

To unleash potential 3 artificial intelligence centres in educational institutes, a national data governance policy, making contract execution for MSMEs less strict, etc. have been planned. Ambitious schemes are on the anvil for other priority sectors. The Budget is a clear roadmap to make India outshine other countries.

Courtyard

Kerala Journo Kappan To Be Released Today

New Delhi: Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan, held on terror charges, will be released today. A Special court in Lucknow signed his release order today -over a month after he got bail in the 2 cases against him. His lawyer said the formalities have all been completed today, “but the release order didn’t reach jail in time. He’ll walk out of jail tomorrow before noon”. Kappan was expected to walk out last evening, but he could not be released since the judge of the Special Court on Prevention of Money Laundering was busy with a bar council election.

Sc Asks Whatsapp To Publicise Undertaking

New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed WhatsApp to publicise its undertaking given to the Centre in 2021 that it will not limit functionality for users not agreeing to its new privacy policy.A five-judge Constitution bench asked the mobile messaging app to give advertisement in five newspapers to publicise its undertaking given to the government.“We record that the stand taken in the letter (to government) and we record the submission of the senior counsel for WhatsApp that they will abide by the terms of letter…till next hearing.

New Delhi (PTI): The SC has sought the Centre’s response on the issue of exploring the possibility of entering into mutual agreements with the US in matters related to child custody disputes as such cases are increasing due to Indians residing there. The apex court passed the order while holding a man, who is a resident of the US, guilty of civil contempt for his failure to bring back his child to India on the order of the court in May last year.