Balancing tact
THE WEEK India|August 04, 2024
While remaining true to the Modi government's long-term vision, the budget tries to address the immediate challenges
K. SUNIL THOMAS
Balancing tact

₹11,11,111 CRORE. Earmarked for infrastructure projects, this assumedly auspicious number in this year's budget does have a nice ring to it.

Another expected figure, however, was surprisingly missing-the $4 trillion mark that India's GDP is set to cross this year.

What is not surprising was the absence of the usual hyperbole.

Walking the tightrope between political expediency and long-term 'Amrit Kaal' goals, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had bigger shrimps (considering their regular appearance in her budget speeches) to fry.

TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE

While the political need of keeping the two main coalition partners, from Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, well-fed and happy was taken care of with an unabashed, almost embarrassing, largesse, a bigger issue remained— an economic boom that is not creating enough jobs and seemed to be benefitting only those at the top of the pyramid the pyramid. Sitharaman’s remedy? A two pronged approach of pushing for skilling, education loans and job creation while doubling down on domestic manufacturing and wooing investment. The jobs push has a central outlay of ₹2 lakh crore over a period of five years and it would benefit 4.1crore youth. It includes not just schemes for skilling the young and providing education loans, but an ‘employment linked incentive’, which will pay ₹15,000 to new employees. The aim is to coax entrepreneurs and corporates to offer jobs, and also get more private sector professionals registered in the Employees Provident Fund Office (EPFO), by taking care of a portion of their contribution to the EPFO for a period.

この記事は THE WEEK India の August 04, 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は THE WEEK India の August 04, 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

THE WEEK INDIAのその他の記事すべて表示
Too Much Sitting Can Accelerate Ageing
THE WEEK India

Too Much Sitting Can Accelerate Ageing

SITTING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS can harm the heart and accelerate ageing, even if you are young and get the minimum recommended amount of daily exercise, according to a US study published in the journal PLOS One.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
Efficiency and innovation
THE WEEK India

Efficiency and innovation

As health care evolves, professionals must employ innovative methods to refine their skills

time-read
2 分  |
December 01, 2024
Level up
THE WEEK India

Level up

Only 30 per cent of needy patients are able to undergo transplant in India; we need more dedicated transplant centres

time-read
2 分  |
December 01, 2024
HOPE STEMS FROM A CELL
THE WEEK India

HOPE STEMS FROM A CELL

While stem cell therapies have shown success in treating blood disorders, orthopaedic ailments, autoimmune diseases and eye issues, there is hope that they can one day treat patients with heart disease, blindness, Parkinson's, HIV, diabetes and spinal cord injuries

time-read
10+ 分  |
December 01, 2024
Mind matters
THE WEEK India

Mind matters

Your mindset can limit or expand your physical ability

time-read
3 分  |
December 01, 2024
Cutting edge
THE WEEK India

Cutting edge

Would you go under the knife if a robot was the one holding it? Or would you say, \"No way, I need a human touch\"? You might have to decide soon because a robot that can imitate skilled human surgeons is already here.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
The smallest cut
THE WEEK India

The smallest cut

Minimally invasive surgeries have a bright future, with virtual reality and 3D procedures offering greater precision and AI on the horizon

time-read
4 分  |
December 01, 2024
Signalling a revolution
THE WEEK India

Signalling a revolution

Canadian scientist and entrepreneur Sachdev Sidhu is focused on bringing cutting-edge antibody engineering to his country of origin

time-read
7 分  |
December 01, 2024
Wellness on demand
THE WEEK India

Wellness on demand

Starting as a doctor-patient chat platform, Medibuddy has evolved to be India's largest on-demand, full-stack digital health care platform

time-read
4 分  |
December 01, 2024
HEARING AND VISION LOSS LINKED TO HEART DISEASE AND STROKE
THE WEEK India

HEARING AND VISION LOSS LINKED TO HEART DISEASE AND STROKE

A CHINESE STUDY PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL of the American Heart Association suggests that middle aged and older adults with sensory impairments, specifically hearing and vision loss, have an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attacks.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024