By Bisheshwar Mishra / A Akhter
New Delhi: The Union budget presented by finance minister Arun Jaitely to has shown not enough concern for the minorities. Minor hike has been seen in the fund allocated to the MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS.
Government has allocated mere to Rs 4,195 crores for 2017-18 for the ministry of minority affairs. Allocation for the same ministry was Rs. 3827 crore in 2016-17.
However government has allocated more funds for implementing the welfare schemes for the scheduled caste and the scheduled tribes. The Finance Minister Arun Jaitley while presenting the budget today had said that allocation for the welfare of Scheduled Castes had been stepped by 35% from `38,833 crores in 2016-17 to ` 52,393 crores in 2017-18. Similarly allocation for Scheduled Tribes had been increased to `31,920 crores and for Minority Affairs to `4,195 crores.
He said the government will introduce outcome based monitoring of expenditure in these sectors by the NITI Aayog. 70. For senior citizens, Aadhar based Smart Cards containing their health details will be introduced. A beginning will be made through a pilot in 15 districts during 2017-18. The LIC will implement a scheme for senior citizens to provide assured pension, with a guaranteed return of 8% per annum for 10 years.
He also stressed that government was keen on fostering a conducive labour environment wherein labour rights are protected and harmonious labour relations lead to higher productivity. Legislative reforms will be undertaken to simplify, rationalise and amalgamate the existing labour laws into 4 Codes on (i) wages; (ii) industrial relations; (iii) social security and welfare; and (iv) safety and working conditions. The Model Shops and Establishment Bill 2016 has been circulated to all States for consideration and adoption. This would open up additional avenues for employment of women. The amendment made to
The budget also indicates how it proposes to strengthen housing schemes. Thus the National Housing Bank will refinance individual housing loans of about ` 20,000 crore in 2017-18. With the help of surplus liquidity created by demonetisation, the Banks have already started reducing their lending rates, including those for housing, the finance minister said. In addition, interest subvention for housing loans has also been announced by the Honourable Prime Minister.
Poverty is usually associated with poor health. It is the poor who suffer the maximum from various chronic diseases. Government has therefore prepared an action plan to eliminate Kala-Azar and Filariasis by 2017, Leprosy by 2018 and Measles by 2020. Elimination of tuberculosis by 2025 is also targeted. Similarly, action plan has been prepared to reduce IMR from 39 in 2014 to 28 by 2019 and MMR from 167 in 2011-13 to 100 by 2018-2020. 1.5 lakh Health Sub Centres will be transformed into Health and Wellness Centres.
We need to ensure adequate availability of specialist doctors to strengthen Secondary and Tertiary levels of health care. We have therefore decided to take steps to create additional 5,000 Post Graduate seats per annum. In addition, steps will be taken to roll out DNB courses in big District Hospitals; strengthen PG teaching in select ESI and Municipal Corporation Hospitals; and encourage reputed Private Hospitals to start DNB courses. We will work with the State Governments to take these tasks forward. The Government is committed to take necessary steps for structural transformation of the Regulatory framework of Medical Education and Practice in India.
Two new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences will be set up in the States of Jharkhand and Gujarat. We propose to amend the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules to ensure availability of drugs at reasonable prices and promote use of generic medicines. New rules for regulating medical devices will also be formulated. These rules will be internationally harmonised and attract investment into this sector. This will reduce the cost of such devices.