Page 25 - NIS English February 16-28
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We have allocated Rs 35,000 Crore for the COVID vaccine. This
is for this year alone and if more money is needed to be spent
on it, I am committed to give it.
it by augmenting it by another Rs 5,000 Crore.
To boost value addition in agriculture and
What were your priorities allied products and their exports, the scope
while drafting the Budget? of ‘Operation Green Scheme’ that is presently
The Budget proposals rest on 6 pillars: applicable to tomatoes, onions and potatoes,
will be extended to include 22 perishable
l Health and Wellbeing products. Keeping in view the transparency
l Physical and Financial Capital, and and competitiveness that e-NAM has brought
Infrastructure into the agricultural market, 1,000 more mandis
l Inclusive Development for Aspira- will be integrated with e-NAM. The Agriculture
tional India Infrastructure Fund would be made available
to APMCs for augmenting their infrastructure
l Reinvigorating Human Capital facilities.
l Innovation and R&D To further extend our efforts towards the
l Minimum Government and Maximum unorganised labour force, migrant workers
Governance particularly, I have proposed to launch a
portal that will collect relevant information
on gig, building, and construction-workers
Welfare of farmers and economically among others. Minimum wages will apply to
weakers sections has been the priority of this all categories of workers, and they will all be
Government. What can they expect from this covered by the Employees State Insurance
Budget? Corporation. Women will be allowed to work in
The Government is dedicated to the welfare all categories and also in the night-shifts with
of farmers. The Prime Minister has introduced adequate protection.
SVAMITVA scheme. Under this, the ‘records
of rights’ are being given to property owners The Prime Minister always talks about youth
in villages. So far, over 1.80 Lakh property power and feels that they play an important
owners in 1,241 villages have been provided role in AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. How
with the document. I have now proposed to crucial is the Budget in this light?
extend this scheme to all states and UTs. For The Government proposes to amend the
Financial year 2021-22, I have enhanced the Apprenticeship Act with a view to further
agricultural credit target to Rs 16.5 Lakh Crore. enhancing apprenticeship opportunities
Our focus is on ensuring increased credit flows for our youth. We will realign the existing
to animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries. scheme of National Apprenticeship Training
We are also enhancing the allocation to the Scheme (NATS) for providing post-education
Rural Infrastructure Development Fund from apprenticeship, training of graduates and
Rs 30,000 Crore to Rs 40,000 Crore. A Micro diploma holders in Engineering. Over Rs 3,000
Irrigation Fund, with a corpus of Rs 5,000 Crore Crore will be provided for this. In partnership
has been created. I have proposed to double
with the United Arab Emirates, an initiative is
New India Samachar 23
