By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 23 Jul: Dr Vijay Dhasmana, President of Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) Jolly Grant and former Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Uttarakhand, described the Modi government’s first general budget of its third term in 2024 as a balanced budget in line with the concept of ‘Developed India.’
Dr Vijay Dhasmana congratulated Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who has become the first female finance minister to present the budget seven times consecutively. Dr Vijay Dhasmana stated that this important budget of the Amrit Kaal will set the direction for the government’s work for the next five years. These priorities aim to fulfill the aspirations of every section of society and the comprehensive development of the country.
The government has prioritized education, employment, and skill development in this budget. An allocation of ₹1.48 lakh crore has been made, which is 32% more than the previous budget. The Finance Minister’s decision will further strengthen the vision of young India.
For the education sector, the Finance Minister has announced a significant initiative of Rs 10 lakh education loans for domestic institutions. This will benefit millions of students across the country. The government will cover 3% of the annual loan interest. E-vouchers will be introduced, benefiting one lakh students every year. Additionally, a provision of Rs 7.5 lakh ‘Model Skill Loan’ for students has also been made.
There is a growing need for skilled employees in the industry. To address this, the budget includes a special provision. One crore youths will be trained in the country’s top 500 companies with a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000. This is a welcome decision by the government, said Dhasmana.
Post-COVID, the government has paid special attention to the health sector. The government recognises that a prosperous India requires a healthy India. Providing significant relief to cancer patients, the government has removed custom duties on three foreign medicines for cancer treatment, making them more affordable. Some medical equipment will also receive exemptions. The Finance Minister’s announcement is commendable.
A fund of Rs 1,00,000 crore has been established for research and innovation. Typically, only government educational institutions received funds for health and technical research. However, this budget proposes to include non-government educational institutions as well. This is a commendable step, as the research conducted in the health sector will directly benefit the general public.
