Page 13 - NIS English 16-31 February,2023

COVER STORY

First General Budget of Amrit Kaal

FOUNDATION STONE OF PROSPEROUS INDIA…

This curiosity may arise in anyone's mind that after given. Targeting 102 crore people, the figure for anti-
75 years of independence, why has the country covid vaccination has crossed 220 crore doses. 47.8
needed such a resolution? In fact, there comes a crore Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan bank accounts have
time in the life of every nation when it redefines been opened in the country. 44.6 crore people have
itself. The biggest pandemic in the last 100 years got insurance coverage under PM Suraksha Bima
changed the world, changed the way of working and Yojana and PM Jeevan Jyoti Yojana. Cash transfer
people's thinking shaped new innovations, then for of Rs 2.2 lakh crore was done to 11.4 crore farmers
India, the youngest country in the world, the Azadi under PM Samman Kisan Nidhi.
Ka Amrit Mahotsav brought such an opportunity, Now, in the first general budget of Amrit Kaal,
when India once again took the pledge of becoming seven priorities have been set, which have been called
a Swarnim Bharat. The foundation stone of this big 'Saptarishi', to realize the resolution of Swarnim
resolution has been prepared in the last nine years. Bharat. To further strengthen the health infrastructure,
It is the result of the long-term thinking of the one hundred and fifty-seven new nursing colleges will
Central Government that in the last nine years, the be established in co-location with the existing 157
per capita income has doubled to Rs 1.97 lakh. medical colleges established since 2014. The Center
The size of the Indian economy has also increased will appoint 38,800 teachers and support staff in 740
and it has become the 5th largest economy in the Eklavya Model Residential Schools for 3.5 lakh tribal
world from the 10th largest economy 9 years ago. students in the next three years. To further the goal
The membership of the Employees' Provident Fund of providing pucca houses to all, the outlay for PM
Organization has more than doubled to 27 crores. Awas Yojana has been increased by 66 percent to Rs
In the year 2022, a total of 7,400 crore digital 79,000 crore. Not only this, a capital fund provision
payments worth Rs 126 lakh crore have been made of Rs 2.40 lakh crore has been made for Railways,
through UPI. Toilets have been built in 11.7 crore considered the lifeline of India, which is 9 times more
houses under the Swachh Bharat Mission. Under than the amount provided in 2013-14 and the
the Ujjwala scheme 9.6 crore LPG connections were highest ever.

This year's middle-class friendly
budget will strengthen everyone's
efforts for 'Developed India'. This
budget is a major step in the direction
of a capable India, affluent India,
self-reliant India, powerful India,
and dynamic India. In this ‘Azadi Ka
Amritkaal', this budget has made a
huge contribution to fulfilling the
resolutions of a developed India
while discharging its duties. This
is a popular budget. It is an all-
encompassing budget, all inclusive
budget, an all-pleasing budget and a
budget that touches all.
– NARENDRA MODI, PRIME MINISTER

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