Women, youth, poor, farmers, 'Roti, Kapda aur Makaan' can be the aim of Budget 2025

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The power of the common man should not be underestimated. The results of the Lok Sabha elections last year showed this to everyone. Now, for the same common man, the coalition government of the country is preparing to make big announcements in its second budget. If experts are to be believed, such announcements can be made in Budget 2025 to empower the common man of the country, which have not been made yet or even if they have been made, the allocation in the earlier budgets was less.

Now the biggest question is who is the common man in the eyes of the government? The direct answer to this is women, youth, farmers, and the poor. These are the things that are on the tongue of both the ruling party and the opposition during elections. Whether it is the Lok Sabha elections or the assembly elections in the last 6 months, the speeches of the leaders are not complete without these four. If we talk about the Modi government, then these four have been an important part. When the first budget of Modi 3.0 was presented in July, about 33.6 percent of the total budget was allocated to these four. It is clear that these four are no less than roti, kapda and makaan for the government of the country at present.

Anil G. Verma, Executive Director and CEO, Godrej Enterprises said that as we approach the Union Budget 2025-26, I am optimistic that the government will continue to promote infrastructure development, maintain fiscal prudence and focus on skills, welfare schemes with women, youth, farmers and the poor. Let us also tell you what kind of focus can be seen on these four in Budget 2025.

How will the focus remain on women

There may be an announcement to increase funds for women-centric schemes like Mission Shakti, Matru Vandana Yojana and Janani Suraksha Yojana. Talking to ET, Rajesh Sharma, Managing Director of Capri Loan, said that these programs, which aim to empower women through safety, education and maternal health benefits, may get more budget this year.

A whopping Rs 3 lakh crore was earmarked for these schemes in the last Budget. Programmes like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana – offering an overdraft facility of Rs 10,000 for women holding savings accounts – and the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, which offers collateral-free loans of up to Rs 10 lakh for SMEs and MSMEs, are helpful in this, he said.

Boosting farmers’ income

Agriculture and rural development are at the centre of the government's welfare priorities. Existing schemes announced in Budget 2024 and several other Cabinet decisions are going to be crucial and may get a top-up. The schemes include PM-KISAN, which provides Rs 6,000 annually to farmers to ease their financial burden; Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) which ensures affordable crop insurance to protect them from losses caused by natural calamities.

Mudra Yojana which provides collateral free loans to rural entrepreneurs. According to Rajesh Sharma, there is a need to focus on rural entrepreneurship, improving agricultural productivity and making agriculture more resilient to challenges like climate change. He also said that better access to modern technology and irrigation systems can lead to higher yields and improve farmers' incomes.

What can be there for the youth in the budget?

India's population, which averages 27, can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. But, the finance minister has the task of strategically leveraging it. Last year, Sitharaman had announced five schemes to facilitate employment, skilling and other opportunities for 4.1 crore youth over a period of five years with a Union Budget of Rs 2 lakh crore.

Programmes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and Mudra Yojana, which focus on skilling and entrepreneurship, are likely to see expanded allocations this February to boost job creation. Sharma said encouraging rural entrepreneurship can boost job creation and innovation, allowing local people to contribute more effectively to the economy by improving their livelihoods.

Plans for upliftment of poor in budget

A big score for Modi and Co. last year was that at least 25 crore people in India came out of poverty in the last decade. Programmes such as the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), which provides free foodgrain distribution and direct cash transfers; the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), which provides affordable housing to the urban and rural poor; the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), are expected to get higher allocations.

Speaking to ET, EY India partner Rajnish Gupta said that despite fiscal constraints, the government can prioritise infrastructure and rule growth to boost growth. He said that the last budget focused on employment generation, skills and social welfare schemes.