UNION BUDGET 2019-2020: Relating to the Poor and Backward Classes

The Union Budget, 2019 presented on 01.02.2019 by the Interim Finance Minister Mr. Piyush Goyal showcased major transformational reforms to be undertaken by the Government for the upcoming financial year 2019-2020.

The Government has taken major steps in order to restore the conditions of vulnerable, poor and backward classes. The Finance Minister acknowledged the right of the poor towards the resources of the country and allotted Rs. 60,000 crores for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) for year 2019-2020 and assured that additional funds will be provided, if needed.

In the past five years, the Government has made huge investment for development of the rural areas and to provide basic amenities to the people in such areas; one such being investment made in the construction of roads in order to allow access to remote villages easily.

Under the Union Budget, 2019 the budget for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) has been tripled for the construction of roads in villages and Rs. 19,000 crore has been allotted for the year 2019-20. Mr. Piyush Goyal claimed that free electricity under the Scheme of Subhagya Yojna has been provided in villages and 143 crore LED bulbs have been installed by the Government in partnership with private companies, which has resulted in saving almost Rs. 50,000 crore in a year.

The Union Budget also caters to the issue pertaining to the health care of the poor and backward classes. The Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi in 2018, launched the Ayushman Bharat Scheme in order to provide medical cashless coverage to over 50 crore citizens. Furthermore, the Government has made provisions to provide medicines, cardiac stents and knee implants etc, at affordable prices through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

The Government has also launched the ‘Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Mandhan’ Pension Scheme for workers employed in the unorganised sector and allotted a budget of Rs 500 crore for the financial year 2019-20. The Scheme focuses on providing the beneficiary workers an assured monthly income of Rs 3,000 from the age of 60 years.

Mr. Piyush Goyal while presenting the Union Budget, stated that a committee under NITI Aayog will be set up which will identify de-notified, nomadic and semi-nomadic communities, which have not yet been classified. Also, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment shall set up  a Welfare Development Board which shall frame strategies for the benefit of such hard to reach de-notified, nomadic and semi-nomadic communities.

In the Present Union Budget, it can be seen that BJP Government has endeavoured to take major steps for the betterment of the vulnerable, poor and other backward classes. It appears the Government seeing the plight of such section of the society is taking remedial measures for their welfare.

Satyam Singh Pal

Associate

The Indian Lawyer