New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday (February 1) announced a package of totalling Rs. 27.1 lakh to deal with COVID-19 pandemic under Atmanirbhar Package while presenting the Union Budget 2021 in the lower house of Parliament. This is the first paperless budget in the history of independent India.
Here are the key highlights of the Union Budget 2021-22:
The government has announced a package of totalling Rs. 27.1 lakh to deal with COVID-19 pandemic under Astmanirbhar Package. Aatmanirbhar package has accelerated the structural reforms across the country. India has started the nation-wide vaccination programme which is the largest in the world.
India has approved two vaccines (Covaxin and Covishield) and two more vaccines will be launched soon said Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman. The government will provide Rs. 35,000 crore for COVID-19 vaccination. The Finance Minister has committed to providing more funds.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman has proposed introduction of Aatmanirbhar Swastha Bharat health program with an outlay of Rs. 64,180 crores, this will act as an addition to the existing National Health Mission.
Finance Minister has given the main pillars of Union Budget 2021-22:
– Health and well-being
– Physical and financial capital and infrastructure
– Inclusive development for aspirational India
– Reinvigorating human capital
– Innovation and R&D
– Minimum government and maximum governance
Mission Poshan 2.0
The government will be launching Mission Poshan 2.0, Jal Jeevan Mission Urban will be introduced. Finance Minister said that ” The urban Swachh Bharat Scheme will be implemented with an outlay of over Rs. 1.4 lakh crore.
Vehicle Scrapping Policy
The government has launched the voluntary scrapping policy in order to remove unfit/ outdated vehicles from the streets. Passenger vehicles beyond 20 years and commercial vehicles beyond 15 years will need to go through a vehicle fitness test.
