Budget 2024: FM Nirmala Sitharaman lays out nine priorities of Modi government

Budget 2024: FM Nirmala Sitharaman Lays Out Nine Priorities Of Modi Government

by Utkalika Mohanty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her seventh consecutive Union Budget for 2024-25, outlined key priorities aimed at fostering economic growth and creating ample opportunities.

New Delhi, July 23: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her seventh consecutive Union Budget for 2024-25, outlined key priorities aimed at fostering economic growth and creating ample opportunities.

She listed productivity and resilience in agriculture, employment and skilling, inclusive human resource development and social justice, manufacturing and services, urban development, energy security, infrastructure, innovation, research and development and next-generation reforms as nine priority areas for the government.

The first priority includes- raising productivity and climate resilient varieties, thrust on Natural Farming: 2 crore farmers to be supported in next 2 years(certificates), Atma Nirbharta in Oil seeds; Vegetable Production: Large Scale Clusters, DPI in Agri Infrastructure: Coverage of Farmers and their Land in three years. Digital Crop Survey in 400 districts this year only. Issuance of Jan Samarth-based certificates.

The second priority includes- the First Timers Scheme - a 1-month wage to all persons newly entering the workforce in all formal sectors will be provided by the government in 3 instalments. Direct benefit transfers to employees upto Rs 15,000 will be done.

This will be applicable to those getting a salary upto Rs 1 lakh per month. 2.1 crore youth to be benefitted. Manufacturing Jobs Assistance- Incentives of specified scale directly to employees and employers in the first 4 years of employment will be provided to employees entering manufacturing jobs. This will benefit 30 lakh youth and employers.

Support to employers- Additional employment in all sectors within a salary of 1 lakh/month will be provided Rs 3,000 per month for 2 years to cover EPFO charges. This will incentivise additional employment of upto 50 lakh persons. 20 lakh youth will be skilled over 5 years. Education Loans: Financial Support up to 10 lakhs for higher education in domestic institutions. Annual Interest Subvention for 3 per cent.

The third priority includes- PM Vishwakarma, Swanidhi, NRLM. Purvodaya: A plan for all-round development for the eastern region of the country covering Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Andra Pradesh. This will cover human resource development.

It also included the Amritsar-Kolkata Corridor that will catalyze industrial development for the eastern region, particularly Gaya. Patna, Purniya, Buxar and Bhagalpur.

Bodhygaya-Rajgir-Dharbhnaga Expressways will be developed and the bridge over Ganga in Buxar will be constructed at a cost of Rs.2600 crore. New Medical Colleges and Sports Infrastructure will also be constructed in Bihar.

In accordance with the AP reorganisation act, the government has recognised the state's need for capital and has allocated Rs 15000 crore as financial support.

In the budget, the Finance Minister also announced the construction of 3 crore additional houses in rural and urban areas in the country under the PM Awas Yojna. Under the PM Jan Jatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan the government aims to adopt saturation coverage in tribal families and aspirational districts.

(ANI)

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Amitabh Bachchan Regrets Not Working With Meena Kumari

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Mumbai, Oct 18: In the upcoming episode of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 16’, Amitabh Bachchan reflected on his illustrious career and expressed a heartfelt regret about never having the opportunity to work with the legendary actress Meena Kumari.

Big B also reminisced about the actress Waheeda Rehman's iconic close-up in the film ‘Pyaasa’, which left a lasting impression on him. During a conversation with Vidya Balan and Kartik Aaryan, Amitabh voiced his regret at not having worked with Meena Kumari while discussing the 1962 cult movie ‘Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam.’ Big B said, “I never got the opportunity to work with Meena Kumari ji. In 'Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam,’ there’s a song - ‘Na jaao saiyaan’ where she performed so gracefully that I found myself watching her continuously. The art of sitting in one place quietly, singing the song and coupled with her radiance, the effects used to be marvellous.

They used to take long shots back then and I think that was the beauty of it all. Unlike today, every shot ends in just a few words. And Waheeda Rehman Ji, she is my absolute favourite actress.” Talking about Waheeda Rehman, the megastar spoke about how that particular shot in the song captured such exquisite emotion and artistry, truly showcasing her brilliance.

Amitabh shared, “What a beautiful shot it was; it took two or three takes to light up that close-up. These days, it all happens so quickly, but back then, it was never like that.” Big B’s anecdotes left Vidya Balan in awe as she exclaimed, “I would love to have been born in that era and be your heroine." Kartik then chimed in, saying, "Sir, I would love to be your heroine as well! (laughs).” The episode featuring ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ actors Kartik and Vidya will air on Sony TV on October 18.

--IANS

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ECI Issues Notification For First Phase Of Assembly Polls In Jharkhand

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

New Delhi/Ranchi, Oct 18: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday issued notification for the first phase of Assembly elections in Jharkhand, marking the beginning of the nomination process.

In the first phase, elections will be held in 43 Assembly constituencies.

Candidates can now submit their nomination papers both offline and online. Nomination papers will be accepted at the Returning Officer's (RO) office between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

A maximum of four persons, including the candidate, can enter the RO chamber. If the candidate belongs to a registered party, only one voter is required to propose their candidacy. However, independent candidates and those from non-recognised political parties will need ten proposers.

The candidate's name must be listed in any voter roll within the state. They can also submit their nomination forms online through the Election Commission's Suvidha App.

While submitting the nomination form, the candidate must provide three recent passport-size photos, a copy of their educational qualification certificates, a copy of the new bank account opened for election purposes, and an affidavit (Form 26) which must detail the candidate's movable and immovable assets, loans, liabilities, and any criminal record.

To keep a tab on expenses, a register will be maintained by both the candidate and the election office. Candidates are permitted to spend up to Rs 40 lakh in this election. For the nomination, general category candidates must pay a fee of Rs 10,000, while candidates from Scheduled Castes/Tribes need to pay Rs 5,000.

The seats going to polls in the first phase are Kodarma, Barkatha, Barhi, Barkagaon, Hazaribagh, Simaria, Chatra, Baharagora, Ghatshila, Potka, Jugsalai, Jamshedpur East, Jamshedpur West, Ichagarh, Seraikela, Chaibasa, Majhgaon, Jagannathpur, Manoharpur, Chakradharpur, Kharsawan.

Polling will also be held in Tamar, Torpa, Khunti, Ranchi, Hatia, Kanke, Mandar, Sisai, Gumla, Bishunpur, Simdega, Kolebira, Lohardaga, Manika, Latehar, Panki, Daltonganj, Vishrampur, Chhatarpur, Hussainabad, Garhwa, and Bhawanathpur in the first phase.

The last date for submitting nomination papers is October 25, while scrutiny was scheduled for October 28. The final date for withdrawing nominations is October 30.