Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, praised the Budget 2024-25, calling it pro-people and pro-development. Shah emphasized the government’s commitment to the cooperative sector, noting the introduction of the ‘National Cooperative Policy’ as a significant step. This policy aims to empower the cooperative movement in the country and strengthen its grassroots reach.
In a series of posts on the social media platform X, Shah highlighted the budget’s emphasis on Bharat’s youth, women (Nari Shakti), and farmers. He lauded the budget for fuelling the nation’s progress towards becoming a developed nation by creating new employment opportunities and driving economic growth. Shah expressed his gratitude to Modi and Sitharaman for their focus on development.
The budget’s support for fisheries cooperatives, including financing through NABARD for shrimp farming, processing, and export, is expected to revitalize the sector. Shah thanked Prime Minister Modi on behalf of the cooperative community for these initiatives.
The budget also focuses on agriculture, with an allocation of Rs.1.52 lakh crore to boost productivity. Shah highlighted key decisions such as certifying one crore farmers for natural farming, establishing 10,000 bio-input centers, building digital public infrastructure for agriculture, and creating strategies for oilseeds. These measures, Shah stated, will move the agriculture sector towards self-reliance.
Shah praised the budget’s support for MSMEs, noting that it includes export hubs, credit guarantees, and new SIDBI units. He emphasized that these measures will transform Bharat into a manufacturing powerhouse, fostering self-reliance and prosperity.
The budget addresses the needs of flood-affected states, with provisions for relief and prevention measures in Bihar, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim. Shah expressed gratitude for the support aimed at rejuvenating these regions.
The ‘Purvodaya’ scheme, announced in the budget for Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, aims to enhance infrastructure, human resources, employment, and economic opportunities in the eastern region. Shah emphasized the scheme’s role in building a developed and self-reliant India.
The budget also includes the ‘PM Janjati Unnat Gram Abhiyan’ for the development of tribal communities. Shah noted that this initiative will benefit around five crore tribal people in 63,000 villages, connecting them to mainstream development and improving infrastructure.
Infrastructure development remains a priority, with an allocation of Rs.11,11,111 crore and interest-free loans of Rs.1.5 lakh crore to states. Shah highlighted the budget’s role in creating jobs and building world-class infrastructure.
Shah acknowledged the budget’s focus on women, with over Rs.3 lakh crore allocated to promote women-led development. Initiatives include hostels and crèches for working women, increased market access for women entrepreneurs, and higher Mudra loan limits.
The budget’s provisions for youth training and internships, as well as financial relief for the middle class, were also praised by Shah. He highlighted initiatives like tax exemptions, housing support under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana,’ and job creation through employment-linked schemes.
In conclusion, Shah thanked Prime Minister Modi for inspiring Bharat’s entrepreneurial spirit and supporting the cooperative sector, emphasizing that the Budget 2024-25 sets a strong foundation for Bharat’s future development.