Budget 2024 was unveiled yesterday, marking a significant turning point for India with careful fiscal planning and game-changing initiatives in several important areas. This bold financial plan includes data-driven techniques for unmatched growth together with significant resource allocation. A notable rise in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for agriculture has been made, addressing the issue of food security by providing free rations to 800 million people and providing crop insurance to 40 million farmers. 1.8 crore farmers gain from the Electronic National Agriculture Market, which integrates 1361 Mandis and enables a transaction volume of 3 lakh crore. Projects such as the PM-KISAN SAMMAN Yojana and the PM Fasal Bima Yojana offer 11.8 crore farmers direct cash support.
In the cultural sector, the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, which would provide comprehensive support to craftsmen, will receive a ₹13,000 crore cash outlay over the next five years. With quantitative pledges, such as the opening of 45 new medical schools and the expansion of Ayushman Bharat to include ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and Helpers, the health sector experiences a paradigm shift. Essentially, Budget 2024 is a painstakingly designed road plan that combines monetary allotments with data-driven tactics to improve and revolutionise important industries, demonstrating the government’s commitment to promoting long-term prosperity.
Progress in Agriculture: Fostering the “Annadata”
A number of programmes targeted at boosting the backbone of our country, the farmers, put the agriculture sector front and centre. With an emphasis on empowering women, farmers, the impoverished, and young people, the budget prioritises raising Minimum Support Prices (MSP) when necessary to boost actual income in rural areas.
An important participant in the agricultural scene, Aroma Agrotech, praises the budget‘s imaginative emphasis on reviving the farming community. The sentiment is shared by Aroma Agrotech’s CEO and Director, Anshul Garg, who says,“Aroma Agrotech finds enormous inspiration in the ingenious and insightful evaluation in the interim budget 2024-25. The sentiment regarding the government’s commitment to the farmers, our ‘Annadata’. The PM-Kisan Samman Yojana and PM Fasal Bima Yojana sounds like the highlight of the Agricultural budget and Aroma will extend its unwavering support to implement the scheme effectively. We feel that this budget extends farmer-centric policies, support of income, risk coverage and the encouragement of developing technologies and innovative ideas through Agritech, which aligns perfectly with our core values and we are enthusiastic about building on the sector’s fast-paced growth by assisting these policies”
Renaissance of Culture: PM Vishwakarma Yojana
Investing 13,000 crore over the next five years, the PM Vishwakarma Yojana is the biggest financial commitment in the field of art and culture. This central sector programme, which covers 18 trades, was introduced in 2023 and offers comprehensive support to craftsmen and craftspeople.
Turning our attention to the arts, the Karabi Art Community is looking forward to a revival thanks to the PM Vishwakarma Yojana. This expectation is expressed by Punit V. Sood, Founder & Director of Karabi Art Community, who says “The PM Vishwakarma Yojana has the potential to completely transform the artisan and crafters community at Karabi Art Community thanks to its significant financial investment and all-encompassing methodology. The program’s dedication to providing comprehensive assistance, including monetary support, instruction, and exposure to contemporary methods, is a game-changing move. In addition to streamlining the registration process and bringing accessibility into the modern era, the biometric-based portal offers free registration, which benefits our community. This project has the potential to improve our abilities, give much-needed financial support, and create a growth-oriented atmosphere. Because the program covers a wide range of 18 trades, it is inclusive and benefits a diverse group of artisans. All things considered, the PM Vishwakarma Yojana is a shining example of empowerment, promising to strengthen and elevate our sector by providing us with the tools, information, and assistance required to prosper in a changing and cutthroat environment.”
Reimagining Health Services: A Comprehensive Strategy
By using the infrastructure of already-existing hospitals to construct more medical colleges, the health industry is undergoing a revolutionary agenda. Initiatives like the introduction of the U-WIN platform for immunisation management and the cervical cancer vaccination programme for females between the ages of 9 and 14 serve as further evidence of the government’s dedication to the health of its people. Notably, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and Helpers will now be covered by the major healthcare programme, Ayushman Bharat.
Commenting on this Vincent Anthony D’souza, Co-Founder and CTO of MadVR Solutions said “The government’s goal of expanding medical colleges and making use of the hospital infrastructure already in place is in perfect harmony with our objective of using virtual reality technology to transform surgical education. The focus on preventative healthcare, in particular the campaign to vaccinate young girls against cervical cancer, is consistent with our overarching objective of enhancing patient outcomes and advancing medical education. The all-encompassing strategy for mother and child health care, in addition to the accelerated modernization of Anganwadi centres, aligns with our dedication to human-centred design in medical education. Ayushman Bharat coverage for grassroots healthcare workers and the integration of the U-WIN platform are two further benefits that promote a healthier society. This budget not only clearly advances our goals but also shows how important technology is to improving healthcare and education, which creates an environment that is ideal for our cutting-edge virtual reality solutions.”
The comprehensive vision for a more equitable, balanced, and successful future that is reflected in Budget 2024 recognises the critical roles that health, agriculture, and the arts and culture play in the development of the country. These strategic choices highlight the government’s dedication to promoting development and well-being in all spheres of society.