New Delhi, February 1: During her Budget speech that lasted for 87 minutes, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman used the word 'Amrit' 9 times. She presented the General Budget for the financial year 2023-24 and referred to it as the first budget of the 'Amrit Kaal', expressing her hope for its success for the youth, women, and minorities.

Sitharaman tried to provide some relief to the country's income tax concessions in her budget speech. This was the final full budget of the second phase of the Modi government, presented in Parliament on Wednesday, ahead of the general elections next year and the assembly elections in 9 states this year.

The Finance Minister announced that the general budget limit has been increased from 5 lakh to 7 lakh rupees, amounting to 45,03,987 crores, to cater to the needs and vision of the people. It has been noted that the budget includes income tax concessions for the middle class, poor, and common youth.

The preparation for next year's elections and the assembly elections in various states is evident in the budget. The 'Amrit Kaal' aspect of the budget has a 'grey' outlook, with an emphasis on issues such as price hikes, farmers' agitation, unemployment, housing, community skill development, and women's savings. However, there has been a reduction in the allocation for important sectors such as mental health and healthcare.

Naveen Patnaik Odisha Chief Minister  On Budget 2023-24

The Chief Minister welcomed the steps taken by the Central Government for the welfare of the citizens but expressed concern about the reduction in the funds for the Mindaga Yojana. He stated that the decline in the Mindaga sector is discouraging and will have a profound impact on the rural poor.

The Chief Minister criticized the budget for neglecting agriculture and farmers. The food security budget has been reduced and the central government has decided to reduce the amount of grain collection, which will impact the poor and farmers. In the financial year 2021-22, 80 thousand crore rupees were spent on grain collection, but the current budget only allocates 60 thousand crore rupees, which is a concern for farmers who are already struggling with selling crops at the current minimum support price.

The Chief Minister also expressed concern about the reduction in the National Food Security Scheme, from 2 lakh crores in 2011-2012 to 137 lakh crores in the current budget. On the other hand, he criticized the state BJP for their proposal in the budget for the 'Ayushman Bharat' program. The central government has allocated Rs 7,200 crore in the current budget for the 'PMJAY scheme, while the Odisha government is spending Rs 2,400 crore on free treatment in private hospitals under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana.

If the cost of treatment in government hospitals is included, the amount spent under the BSWI will exceed Rs 6,000 crore per year. The Chief Minister emphasized that the success of the BSWI has ensured that the poor no longer have to sell jewelry or mortgage land for medical treatment and that their children's education is not interrupted for medical expenses. He expressed hope that the leader of the Odisha state BJP will stop misleading the people of Odisha with the 'Ayushman' scheme and acknowledge the success of the BSWI.

Strong infrastructure for Development in India: Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's budget for 2023-24 and said that this budget is a strong foundation for a developed India. The first-ever budget is expected to give a boost to the country's development path and provide opportunities for rapid growth. From farmers to the poor and middle class,  this budget has the potential to fulfill the dreams of all aspirants. 

The government has taken many steps to further empower women in rural and urban areas. A number of initiatives have been taken especially for the Self Help Groups. The creator of this nation is Vishwakarma.  Planning for the first time 'Vaskarma' for training and technical assistance is also a significant step, Modi said. 

The income tax slab changed after 9 years:

This is the last full budget of the Modi 20 government before the general elections to be held next year. Therefore, in this budget of the election year, the central government has tried to please the middle class by giving income tax concessions. That is why Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has given some relief to the taxpayers by changing the income tax slab in the budget this time. The Finance Minister 

said in the Parliament that now people earning less than 7 lakhs do not have to pay any income tax. However, this benefit will be available only to those opting for the new tax regime. Also, no income tax will be levied on those earning up to Rs 3 lakh. Ahead of the budget, taxpayers were hopeful that the government would take steps in the area of ​​income tax exemption this time. A new one in the finance minister's budget

An income tax slab has been introduced. As of now, an individual does not have to pay any income tax on income up to Rs 5 lakh. 

Now the government has increased this limit to 7 lakh rupees Under the new tax regime, the basic exemption limit has been increased to Rs 3 lakh. Apart from this, now under the new tax regime, taxpayers can also avail the benefits of Standard Deduction. Taxpayer under this

Rs 52,500 standard deduction will be available on income up to Rs 155 lakh. According to this, an annual income of 9 lakhs will have to pay Rs 45,000 as tax. On the other hand, a person earning Rs 15 lakh will have to pay a tax of Rs 1.5 lakh instead of Rs 1.87 lakh due to the new tax slab. 

As a result, higher-income earners will benefit from the government's slab changes. Currently, as per the old slab, no tax is payable on income up to Rs 5 lakh. Besides, if you opt for it, there is a tax exemption on investments up to Rs.15 lakhs under Section 80 of the Income Tax Act. That means in this club the taxpayer 

Has to pay any tax on income up to 6.50 lakhs.

No. If your monthly income is Rs.50,000 then accordingly, your annual income for 12 months goes up to Rs.6 lakh. If you follow the completed tax structure, you will get a tax deduction of Rs 15 lakh under Section 80 of Income Tax. 50,000 to the wage earner

A standard deduction of Rs. 28 'Women's Dignity Saving Scheme' budget has been prepared to keep in mind the working style of the 21st century, the government said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget speech has announced many schemes for women and senior citizens this time. 

The Finance Minister has doubled the investment limit in Senior Citizen Savings Deposit Accounts as compared to earlier. That means such people can now invest a maximum of Rs 9 lakh instead of Rs 45 lakh. He also announced a special scheme for the Finance Minister for women. The budget focuses on connecting women to business and empowering them to become self-reliant. The Finance Minister has announced the 'Women's Dignity Saving Scheme' for women. Women will get 7.5% interest on savings of Rs 2 lakh 

156 Nursing College to be opened in Medical College.

A total provision of Rs 1,12,898 crore for the education department in the budget for the financial year 2023-24.  Which is the highest in the budget estimate made for the education department.  Out of this, 68,804 crore rupees have been allocated for the public education department, while a total provision of 44,094 crore rupees has been made for the higher education department. 

In the financial year 2022-23, a total of 1 lakh 4 thousand 277 crore rupees was allocated in the expenditure budget by the Ministry of Education.  But out of this, Rs 40,828 crore has been allocated to the higher education department and Rs 59,052 crore to the public education department in the revised budget estimate 

Among the new initiatives taken by the education department in the financial year 2023-24 is the establishment of one each in 157 medical colleges in the country. The college will be established. This system of the central government has been welcomed at various levels. 

2. Agriculture (1,25,035 crores) 

In the financial year 2023-24, a total expenditure of Rs.1 lakh 25 thousand 35 crores has been made for the agriculture department. Also to start some new schemes to increase the income of the farmers by giving greater importance to the interests of the farmer Steps have been taken. Apart from the existing Farmers' Welfare Scheme, some new schemes will be implemented in the field of animal husbandry and fisheries in this financial year. 

Apart from this, an 'Agri Accelerator Fund' will also be established to promote startups in the agriculture sector. Similarly, the agricultural loan target for this financial year has been set at 20 lakh crores In the last year's budget, a target of Rs. 18 lakh crore was set for this, while in the current budget, it has been increased by 11 percent. Digital systems will be introduced to help farmers in various aspects, from field preparation planning to credit support, production, and marketing. 

For Defense (5,93,537 crores)

Among the various departments, the budget for the financial year 2023-24 has been earmarked for the defense department. In the last financial year, Rs 525 lakh crore was allocated for this department, while in the current budget, a 

total of Rs 594 lakh crore has been allocated with an increase of about 13 percent. Out of this, there is an expenditure budget of 162 lakh crores for the modernization of the armed forces. Last year this amount was 152 lakh crores of the Army Department in view of border security arrangements.

Provisions have also been made for the procurement of fighter aircraft, submarines, and advanced tanks, including upgrades, along with the procurement of modern weapons and equipment. The biggest thing is that the amount of investment for this department has been increased by Rs. 10 thousand crores and it has been kept at Rs. 1.62 lakh crores. 

On the other hand, emphasis has also been given to the promotion of the 'Make in India' scheme with the aim of giving more incentives to the private enterprise sector in the field of arms manufacturing. The amount allocated in the budget for the defense department for this year is about 13 times more than Pakistan's defense budget. 

In the financial year 2022-23, the defense budget of Pakistan was 1 lakh 52 thousand crore rupees. Which is equal to 46 thousand 689 crores in Indian rupees. But India's defense budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 is 5.10 lakh crore for infrastructure development. 

In the 2023-24 budget, the central 

The government has given the highest priority to the development and development of wetlands. In the 'Saptarushi Mantra' celebration, seven sectors have been given maximum importance in this budget, out of which the infrastructure development sector has been given more importance. Compared to last year, the current budget has increased the amount of infrastructure expenditure and investment by 33 percent and this amount has been increased to 10 crore rupees. 

This is 3 times more than the budget for the financial year 2019-20 and 3.3 percent of the country's total GDP. This sector has the potential to generate investment, create jobs, increase trade, and develop communication systems, while its role is also significant for the overall economic development of the country. From roads, and highways to urban development and communication. The rapid development of the system depends on this sector. 

For health and family welfare:

89,155 crores In the general budget for the year 2023-24, a total of 89 thousand 155 crores has been allocated for the health and family welfare department. In the year 2022-23, this amount was 79 thousand 145 crores, while in the current budget, it has been increased by 13 percent. Among the new initiatives taken by the health department is to eradicate 'Sickle Cell Anaemia' from the country by 2047. Aimed at eradication. 

Under this plan, a total of 7 crore people from small children to 40-year-olds will be tested in different parts of the country and various programs will be undertaken to make people aware of this problem. Out of the total 89 thousand 155 crore rupees provided in the budget, 86 thousand 175 crore rupees will be spent on health and family welfare. Similarly, Rs 2980 crore will be used in health research. In the last budget, Rs 2,845 crore was allocated for the life expectancy department, while in the current budget, it has been increased by 28 percent to Rs 3,647 crore.

22 thousand 137 crores for the MSME sector. 

In the budget of the financial year 2023-24, a total amount of 22 thousand 137 crore rupees has been allocated for the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. In order to promote the country's 63 million small and micro enterprises, the extended MSME credit guarantee scheme will be launched next April, and capital of 9 thousand crore rupees will be provided for it. About 30 percent of the country's GDP depends on this sector and about 110 million people are employed in this sector. 

Gender Budget 

In India, women are called Narayani. It has been 18 years since the 'gender budget ' was introduced to improve the economic and social status of women in the country. However, the extent to which the objectives of the gender budget have been met is a matter of debate. 2021-22.

In comparison, the gender budget for 2022-23 increased by 11.5 percent. Despite this, the gender budget was only 1 percent of the total GDP. Its share in total expenditure of GDP was also 4 to 6 percent. 

What is the gender budget? 

Earlier, the railway budget was brought separately. But gender budgeting is not done separately. A gender budget is called for to ensure separate allocation of funds for women-related schemes by the ministry. It is also known as Gender Budget Statement (GBS). It provides information about gender-based programs and plans and funding allocations under each ministry and department. 

Why was it necessary?

The number of women in the country is 48.4 percent. However, they lag behind men in many areas including health, education, skill development, and financial opportunities. Gender budgeting was needed to increase the participation of women in all these fields. This budget is divided into two parts. The first includes 100% funded women-centered schemes. 

The second has a plan that pays at least 30 percent. In the gender budget of 2022-23, Rs 844 crore was allocated to research and education of the Department of Agriculture. The Central Institute of Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, and the All India Coordinated Research Project on Science got the money. As women-related centers, they were given 100% funding. Funds are allocated to the gender budget each year 

Decrease in money allocation:

In the last five years, 100 percent of the scheme's allocation has decreased by 10 percent. In 2017-18, about 26 percent of the gender budget was spent on it. It has now reached 16 percent. The central government was distributing 91 percent of the gender budget among five departments. However, its benefits were not only available to women. It was spent on roads, electricity, water, health, agriculture, education, etc. 

 The gender budget is Only For Name:

The gender budget is name-only. But that means all plans are being spent. The money received from this fund is spent on the  PM Awaja Yojana and Indira Gandhi Widow Pension Yojana. This money is also included in ongoing schemes for the development of women and children. Funding for agriculture-related institutions and projects is provided from the gender budget. 24 such schemes and

This money has been spent on the institution. The gender budget provides less funding for programs related to women's protection. Of this, Rs 7.61 crore was given to the Behama Fund last year. But in 2022-23, not even a rupee was received for this. However, in the general budget of 2022-23, Rs. 

No funds have been given in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 budgets for other schemes related to women, such as One Stop Centre, Women Helpline, Beti Bachao-Beti Munchao, Wanky Women Hostel, etc. 28 crores in 2022-23 for Anti-Human Trafficking and Women Helm Desk. It was 21 crores less than in 2021. 

The gender budget allocates more money to mental health and the Prime Minister's Housing Scheme than to education and health In 2022-23, about Rs 31,000 crore was allocated to both schools and higher education and Rs 30,720 crore to health. 

Similarly, 26 thousand crores were allocated to Mindaga and 43 thousand crores to Prime Minister's Housing Scheme