Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction
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- Briefly introduce the significance of the Union Budget in shaping economic policies and its potential impact on women-led development.
2. Key Areas of Focus
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- Identify and elaborate on specific areas where the budget can promote women-led development:
- Financial Allocation: Discuss the overall budget allocation for women-centric projects.
- Safety Initiatives: Highlight measures aimed at enhancing women’s safety in public spaces.
- Property Rights: Explain how housing schemes and property registration reforms can empower women.
- Financial Independence: Describe savings schemes and their role in fostering financial security for women.
- Support for Self-Help Groups (SHGs): Discuss the importance of SHGs in promoting entrepreneurship among women.
- Health and Well-being: Mention health initiatives that specifically benefit women.
- Identify and elaborate on specific areas where the budget can promote women-led development:
3. Relevant Facts and Figures
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- Provide specific data and facts to support each point:
- Financial Allocation: The budget allocates ₹2.23 lakh crore for women-centric projects, a 2.12% increase from the previous year and 30% higher than last year’s estimates.
- Safety Initiatives: Funding for the ‘Safe City Project’ increased from ₹165 crores in 2022-23 to ₹1,300 crores in 2023-24, aimed at improving women’s safety in public spaces.
- Property Rights: The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana received a 66% increase in allocation to ₹79,000 crore, enhancing women’s property entitlements.
- Financial Independence: The Mahila Samman Savings Certificate offers up to ₹2 lakh at a fixed interest rate of 7.5%, promoting savings among women.
- Support for SHGs: The budget prioritizes support for women-led SHGs by providing resources for raw materials and marketing.
- Health Initiatives: Increased funding for schemes like Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 will improve health services for women.
- Provide specific data and facts to support each point:
3. Conclusion
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- Summarize how these initiatives collectively contribute to promoting women-led development and emphasize the need for monitoring and evaluation to ensure effective implementation.
Relevant Facts
- The Union Budget 2023-24 allocates ₹2.23 lakh crore for women-centric projects, which is a 2.12% increase from the previous year and 30% higher than last year’s Budget Estimates of ₹1.71 lakh crore.
- The allocation for the ‘Safe City Project’ has increased from ₹165 crores in 2022-23 to ₹1,300 crores in 2023-24, enhancing women’s safety in public spaces.
- The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana’s allocation has been increased by 66% to ₹79,000 crore, strengthening women’s property entitlements.
- The Mahila Samman Savings Certificate scheme allows deposits up to ₹2 lakh for a two-year period at a fixed interest rate of 7.5%, promoting financial independence among women.
- The budget prioritizes support for women-led self-help groups (SHGs) by providing them with raw materials, branding, and marketing assistance.
- Increased funding for health schemes like Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 will enhance the quality of health services available to women.
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.