Union Budget 2023
The Indian government has recently released the budget highlights for 2023, presenting a comprehensive outline of its financial plans for the coming fiscal year. The budget, presented by the Finance Minister, aims to boost the country’s economy and address some of the key challenges facing the nation. The Indian government presented its Budget Highlights for 2023 on February 1st, 2023.
The budget highlights various proposals and initiatives that the government plans to implement over the next three years. One of the key proposals is the appointment of 38,800 teachers and support staff for 740 Eklavya Model Schools. Another major highlight of the budget is the plan to produce 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen by 2030. The government has also proposed the construction of 50 new airports, heliports, and aerodromes across the country.
One of the major focus areas of the 2023 budget is the agricultural sector. The government plans to increase investment in the sector, with a focus on modernizing agriculture and improving the livelihoods of farmers. The budget also proposes several initiatives aimed at improving the accessibility and availability of credit to farmers, as well as increasing their access to markets for their produce.
Infrastructure Development: Focus on Railways, Airports, and Housing
The allocation for PM Awas Yojana has been increased by 66% to Rs 79,000 crore, and a budget of Rs 2.4 lakh crore has been proposed for the development of railways. The expenditure on infrastructure has been increased by 33% to Rs 10 lakh crore with a provision of 75,000 crores for new railway projects.
Tax Reforms: Changes in Tax Slabs and Exemptions
The budget also includes tax reforms with a new tax slab as follows: 0 to 3 Lakh – Nil, 3 to 6 Lakh – 5%, 6 to 9 Lakh – 10%, 9 to 12 Lakh – 15%, 12 to 15 Lakh – 20%, and above 15 Lakh – 30%. No tax will be levied on income up to ₹ 7,00,000 as per the Economics Survey Highlights.
Another important aspect of the budget is the emphasis on infrastructure development. The government plans to invest heavily in infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and other transportation networks. This is expected to not only improve the country’s connectivity but also create job opportunities and spur economic growth.
Focus on Youth and Rural Sector: Skill Development, Agriculture, and Healthcare Initiatives
The budget also focuses on the development of women’s honor savings, mobile phone industry, electronic vehicles, and the agriculture sector. A credit guarantee scheme will be implemented from April 1st, and 47 million youth will receive an allowance for 3 years. The PM Skills Development Scheme 4.0 will soon be introduced, and a startup fund will be created for the welfare of farmers. The agriculture sector will receive a budget of over 200,000 crores.
The budget also includes measures to promote the development of the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. The government plans to increase the availability of credit and provide other financial incentives to help these businesses grow and thrive. Additionally, the budget proposes several initiatives aimed at making it easier for SMEs to access markets, both within India and abroad.
Education and Employment: Provisions for Appointing Teachers and Support Staff
The government has also outlined plans to boost the education and healthcare sectors in the 2023 budget. The budget proposes significant investments in the education sector, with a focus on improving the quality of education and increasing access to it. The healthcare sector is also set to receive a major boost, with the government planning to invest in the expansion and improvement of healthcare facilities across the country.
The budget also focuses on the development of the financial sector, environment, and infrastructure with a focus on youth. The PMPVTG development mission will be initiated to improve the socio-economic status of PM housing and tribal people. The government has also announced an interest-free loan limit increase for 1 year and a budget of Rs 15,000 crore for the tribal mission for three years.
The DigiLocker will be considered a secure proof of address, and one million farmers will be encouraged to work towards natural farming. The Govardhan Scheme and the transport infrastructure will receive a budget of 75,000 crores. The budget also focuses on the development of the 5G service, civil service, and artificial intelligence. The MSME seized amount will be returned, and the pan card will be made the primary base for starting a business.
In addition to these key focus areas, the budget also includes several measures aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the country. For example, the government has proposed initiatives aimed at reducing air pollution, improving environmental sustainability, and promoting gender equality.
In conclusion, the 2023 budget highlights presented by the Indian government are aimed at boosting the country’s economy and addressing some of the key challenges facing the nation. With a focus on agriculture, infrastructure, SMEs, education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability, the government is seeking to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all Indians.
Download the BUDGET 2023-2024 PDF