By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 8 Aug: Rotary Club Dehradun organised a talk on the Union Budget 2024-25. CA Rajat Sharma was the keynote speaker. He was formally welcomed by the President, Dr RK Bakshi. Sharma highlighted the main aims and objectives of the budget. He said that the finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman has created a record by presenting the budget of the nation seventh time in a row.
The budget was presented keeping in view the present political and economic scenario of the world. On the one side, world war like situations are gripping the global economy and, on the other, India has emerged as a big financial power and is heading to be the third biggest economy.
India is very confident, having successfully hosted several major political events like G20 and its achievement in the field of science and space technology have surprised the world. Its market is booming and efforts to bring digital revolution in economy have shown wonderful results.
The population growth, unemployment and neighbouring political unrest are some of the major challenges.
The FM had given an idea of this budget while presenting the Interim Budget in February 2024. The government is focusing on new classification (as highlighted by PM) “Garib”, Mahilayen”, “Youva” and “Annadatta” with the mission “Sab Ka Sath and Sab Ka Vikas with Sab ka Prayas”. More research, farming, self-sufficiency in pulses and oil seeds along with skill development, educational loans, human resource development with the policy of introducing Internship for youth in 500 top companies, government wishes to bring a remarkable boom in the economy of the nation.
Developing plug and play industrial parks in 100 cities, urban development projects, solar lights, all round infrastructure development, space fund, Bhoo adhaar cards, etc., are main areas of focus in this budget, he pointed out.
Major projects for road connectivity announced in this budget are Patna-Purnea Highway, Buxar Bhagalpur Expressway, Lane bridge over Ganga in Buxar. Investment in the field of establishing new medical colleges and sports development projects have also attracted the attention of the public.
Bihar and Andhra Pradesh have received special financial favour with the assurance to get the same in future for their ambitious schemes. This issue has invited major controversies and opposition parties have not appreciated it.
Standard deduction for salaried persons has been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000. Family pension deduction has increased to Rs 25,000 from Rs 15000.
In addition to the above information, CA Rajat Sharma answered a number of questions from the audience. Everyone found the talk very informative and appreciated his lecture. The vote of thanks was proposed by AK Srivastava. PDG Rakesh Agarwal, PP Dr Arun Kumar, PP Rakesh Malhotra, PP Dr S Farooq, PP Joginder Singh and Secretary Megha Bansal, etc., were present on the occasion.
