Concern for poor should 90 beyond the Budget

Wreaker sections suffered the most during the extremely difficult phase of the pandemic and the prolonged lock-downs.

Their recovery has been more difficult due to their low resource base and compulsion to pay back loans taken at high interest rates during the lockdowns. Hence there is a strong case for an inclusive recovery path in India which is caring towards the poor.

In the recently presented Union Budget the finance minister highlighted several areas of government initiatives which have higher relevance for the poor and vulnerable sections of society. These include the Eklavya scheme for residential students from tribal communities, rural libraries, use of machinery to clean septic tanks to avoid health hazards for workers, more emphasis on millets cultivation and higher allocation for PM Aawaas or the leading housing scheme for the poor. Although details of these initiatives were not spelled out, it is likely that all these will be helpful.