The interim budget for 2024, presented by Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is designed to address urgent fiscal needs and prioritizes ahead of the elections. The budget focuses on social welfare and economic growth with initiatives to empower women and youth. It also aims to improve the lives of farmers and underprivileged people.
The interim budget is a short-term measure, but it sets the scene for a comprehensive budget after the elections, which will be formulated by the winning party based on its policy agenda and priority.
Budget allocations for 2024 and their impact on different sectors –
Budget allocations will help drive change, by providing resources and funding to key programs and initiatives. The government can meet critical needs by allocating funds to sectors such as education, healthcare and infrastructure. It can also promote inclusive growth and improve social welfare.
Budget allocations show the government’s commitment and priorities in tackling key issues like gender inequality, unemployment, and poverty. A budget that allocates adequate funding and resources to women’s entrepreneurship will yield significant returns on economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction.
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1. Economic Empowerment through Women Entrepreneurship
Budget impact highlights its commitment to encouraging entrepreneurship among women. Recognizing it as a powerful driver of social and economic progress, the budget impacts emphasizes their commitment. This is done through initiatives such as the Mudra Yojana and Lakhpati Didi schemes, which are tailored to women entrepreneurs. These initiatives are designed to help women entrepreneurs by providing financial resources and support to start and grow businesses.
Women entrepreneurs play a crucial role in India’s economic growth and creation of jobs. The government wants to unlock the entrepreneurial potential of women by providing them with mentorship, training and financial support.
Women in business can overcome financial obstacles by utilizing targeted incentives and schemes such as business loan for women schemes and credit guarantee schemes.
How can you benefit from the 2024 budget?
- Explore government schemes such as Mudra Yojana, which allows women entrepreneurs to access funding.
- Use platforms and networks to provide mentoring, training and guidance tailored specifically for women entrepreneurs.
- Collaboration with women-led business and support networks is a great way to exchange insights, resources and best practices in order to grow and sustain your business.
- Your voice matters. Advocate for regulatory and policy changes that will enable women to succeed and thrive as entrepreneurs. Your insight and experience are valuable in creating a business climate that encourages women entrepreneurs.
2. Health Support and Social Security
Ayushman Bharat’s coverage of Asha workers, Anganwadi Workers, and Helpers is an important step in ensuring women’s health and wellbeing, especially those living in rural areas.
The government is also committed to women’s health and prevention. This commitment can be seen in the maternal health programs, and the cervical cancer vaccination campaigns.
Women’s productivity and well-being are dependent on access to high quality healthcare. The government is aiming to improve the health of women and children by expanding healthcare coverage.
Through targeted interventions and campaigns such as maternal health programs and cervical cancer vaccination drives, women can receive the care and support they need to live healthy and productively.
How can you benefit from the 2024 budget?
- Keep up to date with government health care schemes and initiatives that improve women’s accessibility to quality healthcare.
- Encourage the participation of vaccination campaigns and health awareness programs in order to prevent diseases such as cervical cancer.
- Advocacy for women’s health, well-being and policies at community and policy level.
- Support initiatives and organizations that offer healthcare and support services to women living in marginalized and underserved communities.
3. Skills Development and Education Opportunities
Budget emphasizes the importance of education and skill development, especially for rural women and those in underserved regions. Saksham Anganwadi, Poshan 2.0 and other initiatives aim to improve nutrition and early childhood development. They also ensure that women and children can access quality education and healthcare.
Education is essential for women to be empowered and achieve economic independence. The government invests in vocational training and skill development opportunities to provide women with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the workplace.
Women and children have access to quality education, health care, and nutrition through initiatives such as Saksham Anganwadi or Poshan 2.0. This will lead them to a better future.
How can you benefit from the 2024 budget?
- Investing in programs that develop skills for women and provide them with opportunities to gain marketable skills will enhance their employability.
- Encourage the development of policies and programs that promote girls’ education, and ensure equal educational opportunities for women of all ages.
- Collaboration with educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies is needed to support initiatives that improve the literacy rate and educational outcomes of women.
- Support organizations that offer scholarships, career guidance, and mentorship to women who are pursuing educational and training opportunities.
4. Digital Empowerment & Financial Inclusion
The budget acknowledges the transformative power of digital technologies to empower women and promote financial inclusion. Budget impact – By encouraging innovation and reducing regulatory burdens on startups, budget impacts create an environment that allows women-led businesses thrive in the digital world.
Digital technologies can change women’s lives, by increasing their access to information about markets, financial services and business opportunities. Women entrepreneurs who embrace digital platforms and online markets can reach new clients, streamline their operations, and gain access to new funding sources.
Women can use technology to boost their business and improve their prospects through initiatives such as the Start-Up India Program and digital literacy campaigns.
How can you benefit from the 2024 budget?
- Use digital platforms and technologies to increase your market reach, streamline your operations and find new business opportunities.
- Encourage policies and incentives to promote digital literacy, entrepreneurship and inclusive growth among women.
- Fintech companies and financial institutions offering tailored financial products and service to women entrepreneurs are a great place to start.
- Support initiatives to promote women’s entrepreneurship and digital skills development in rural and underserved areas.
5. Infrastructure Development and Market Entry –
Women in business can expand and access new markets by taking advantage of the budget impact on infrastructure development. This is especially true in rural areas. The budget impact of investing in logistics and connectivity can be classified as a reduction of barriers to trade and an increase in market access for women-led businesses.
Women entrepreneurs need access to infrastructure and markets to compete and grow their businesses. The government invests in digital, road, and railway infrastructure to improve access to markets, reduce transportation costs and facilitate trade.
Women entrepreneurs can take advantage of new business opportunities and markets through initiatives such as the Stand-Up India Program and Cluster Development Schemes, thereby boosting their community’s economic growth and creating jobs.
What can you gain from the Budget for 2024?
- Exploit the opportunities of improved infrastructure and logistic networks to increase market reach and distribution channels.
- Encourage the development of policies and programs to support women entrepreneurs and rural and remote areas.
- Work with government agencies, industry groups, and development organizations in order to identify and correct infrastructure gaps that prevent women from participating in economic activity.
- Support initiatives to promote market links, cluster development and value chain integration, which will enable women-led business to compete more effectively on domestic and international markets.
The interim budget of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for 2024 offers a number of opportunities for Indian women entrepreneurs to succeed and thrive in the changing business landscape. Women in business will be able to unlock their potential by leveraging the budget’s focus on entrepreneurship and digital empowerment.