Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting her seventh straight budget and empowering women has been key theme so far. Can women expect the same generosity continuing in this Budget? Well, that will be a question that we will get an answer on July 23 but in the meanwhile here is a look at allocations and schemes for women in Budget thus far-
Key schemes announced for women Under FM Sitharaman
Budget 2019-20: In this session of the Budget, the government supported and encouraged the participation of women through schemes like, Stand UP India, Mudra, and Self-Help Group. The expansion of the Women SHG program in all the districts was announced by the finance minister. An overdraft of Rs 5000 was approved for every woman SHG member who has a Jan Dhan Bank Account. A loan of up to 1 lakh was proposed for one woman in every SHG group under the MUDRA Scheme.
Budget 2020-21: During this budget session, the government’s ”Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” scheme was declared as a successful program. The reason behind this was stated by the finance minister that under this scheme, an increase in girl’s gross enrolment percentage was recorded across all the strata of education in contrast with boys. To improve the nutritional status of children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers, Poshan Abhiyan was launched. She also informed the parliament that around six lakh Anganwadi workers have been armed with smartphones. They have been assigned to update the nutritional status of more than 10 crore households. Nutrition-related programs were allocated Rs 35600 crore and Rs 28,600 for women-centric programs.
Budget 2021-22: An additional Nutrition Programme and Poshan Abhiyan were announced to be clubbed together and were launched as Mission Poshan 2.0. The coverage of the Ujjwala scheme was proposed to increase to 1 crore more beneficiaries.
Budget 2022-23: In this budget, several schemes of the Ministry of Women & Child Development were restructured. With an agenda to provide collective advantages, especially to women and children with schemes like Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, and Saksham Anganwadi. Upgradation of two lakhs aganwadis under the Saksham Anganwadis scheme was also launched. Under this, anganwadis were equipped with improved infrastructure, and audio-visual aids which help them to provide a safe space for early child development.
Budget 2023-24: In this budget session, the economic empowerment of women was in major focus. Mobilizing rural women into 81 lakh Self Help Groups was achieved under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihood Mission. The government had planned to make these groups transform into the next stage of economic empowerment by forming a large enterprise. Each enterprise will consist of several thousands of members. The FM also announced that to enhance the branding, design, quality, and marketing of the products, the government will provide raw materials and provide constant support for them.
Interim Budget 2024: The finance minister in her interim budget speech asserted that a great driving force was witnessed in the empowerment of women, their dignity, and ease of living in the last ten years. Around 30 crore Mudra Yojana loans were provided to women entrepreneurs. Female enrolment recorded an upsurge in STEM courses as well as in higher education. An increase in women’s contribution to the labour force was also highlighted. Under PM Awas Yojana, women of rural areas were made joint or sole owners of 70 % of houses. A reservation of one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State assemblies was also initiated.
Under FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s ministration, the budget has witnessed the introduction of several schemes specially catered to the holistic development and empowerment of women. The government has claimed that they acknowledge the importance of Nari Shakti as the harbinger of a bright future in Amrit Kaal. Let’s see how much the budget allocation will come on women’s plates this time.