Government Budgeting & Public Finance

Model Answer

1. Increased Financial Allocation

The budget allocates ₹2.23 lakh crore for women-centric projects, marking a 2.12% increase from the previous year and a 30% rise compared to last year’s Budget Estimates of ₹1.71 lakh crore. This substantial financial commitment underscores the government’s focus on women’s empowerment as a key development agenda.

2. Enhancing Women’s Safety

A notable increase in funding for the ‘Safe City Project’ from ₹165 crores in 2022-23 to ₹1,300 crores in 2023-24 aims to improve safety for women in public spaces. This enhancement is crucial for encouraging women’s participation in economic activities and increasing the overall labor force participation rate.

3. Strengthening Property Rights

The budget also boosts the allocation for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana by 66% to ₹79,000 crore, which will strengthen women’s property entitlements. Additionally, the introduction of differential tax rates for property registration is expected to improve women’s access to land and property, further empowering them economically.

4. Promoting Financial Independence

The Mahila Samman Savings Certificate scheme, offering up to ₹2 lakh for a two-year period at a fixed interest rate of 7.5%, is designed to foster financial independence among women. This initiative encourages savings and provides flexibility for partial withdrawals, which can be utilized for education and health needs.

5. Support for Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

The budget prioritizes the development of women-led self-help groups by providing them with essential resources such as raw materials, branding, and marketing support. This initiative aims to enhance rural income and promote financial independence among women.

6. Health and Well-being Initiatives

Increased funding for health-related schemes like Saksham Anganwadi, Poshan 2.0, and Mission Shakti will improve the quality of services available to women, particularly in areas such as sexual and reproductive healthcare and child health.

Conclusion

To maximize the impact of these initiatives, it is essential to establish a robust monitoring system to assess the effectiveness of budgetary allocations. Transparent auditing mechanisms should be implemented to enhance women’s participation in economic activities and improve their overall well-being. Each Ministry and Department should also develop a roadmap to address specific structural barriers faced by women, ensuring the effective utilization of funds aimed at achieving gender equality.

Model Answer

Gender budgeting refers to the process of applying a gendered perspective to the allocation and tracking of public funds. It ensures that both women and men equally benefit from government policies and development initiatives. The primary goal of gender budgeting is to achieve gender mainstreaming by factoring in gender equality while budgeting. In India, gender budgeting was introduced in 2005 with the inclusion of the Gender Budget Statement (GBS) alongside the Union Budget. The GBS is divided into two parts: Part A for schemes fully dedicated to women, and Part B for schemes that allocate at least 30% of funds for women.

Ways to Implement Gender Budgeting Effectively in India

1. Collecting Gender Disaggregated Data
   It is essential to collect and analyze data separated by gender to better understand how public funds are benefiting men and women differently. The Cabinet Secretariat could mandate that ministries include gender-disaggregated targets and indicators in their Results Framework Documents. This would help in measuring the actual impact of government policies on different genders.
2. Capacity Building of Personnel
   Administrators and decision-makers need gender sensitivity training to ensure that they can allocate resources effectively and identify schemes that will empower women. It is crucial that officials at various levels are trained to identify the gender-specific needs and design solutions accordingly.
3. Increased Participation of Women in Planning and Budgeting
   Women must be treated as equal partners in the budgeting process. Their active participation in decision-making would ensure that the budget better addresses their needs and priorities, moving beyond simply treating women as beneficiaries.
4. Spatial Mapping
   Spatial mapping of gender-related discrepancies can reveal regional variations in the implementation of programs, enabling targeted interventions to correct inequalities. This mapping could ensure that marginalized communities receive appropriate attention.
5. Reforms at the State Level
   At the state level, setting up gender focal points and creating Gender Task Forces at various administrative levels (districts, blocks, and local bodies) would help decentralize the implementation of gender-sensitive programs.
6. Reforms in Budgetary Process
   Introducing tools such as Gender Equity Certificates, Pre-budget consultations, and Gender-focused Budget Papers would streamline the integration of gender considerations into the overall budget process.

Conclusion

To implement gender budgeting successfully, India needs strong collaboration among key stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society, NGOs, and the media. This, combined with the strengthening of Gender Budgeting Cells and a transparent budget process, can ensure that public resources are effectively used to achieve gender equality.