New Delhi: Budget 2025-26 is all set to be presented in the Parliament on February 1, 2025.
In this article, let’s see what women’s organisations and other members of civil societies are expecting from the budget.
Ritwika Naidu, director of Prabhu Naidu Private Limited, an organisation working with rural women in Maharashtra, said that the government allocated a budget of Rs 3 lakh crore for women in Budget 2024-25 and this year she expects it to increase. Expressing her views on the upcoming Budget, she said the government should look to focus more on increasing the participation of women in the workforce through employment related innovations and flexible work policy. She demanded crèches at workplaces, convenient public transport and equal pay for women. The organizations also spoke on the need to pay attention to the quality of jobs available to women and the skills required.
Saujanya Kanuri, director of ACT for Women, said the increased allocation in ‘gender budgeting’ shows the importance of bringing women into the mainstream. It is very important to see and understand the needs of women and girls, which works ontoards increasing women’s workforce participation, she added.
Neera Nandi, Partner and Co-Founder, Dasara India, hoped that the upcoming Budget will provide favourable policies and enhanced tax incentives to unlock more domestic capital for households, individuals and corporates.
Kalpana Ajayan, South Asia Regional Head, Women World Banking, spoke on the government managed women-centric schemes like ‘Lakhpati Didi’, ‘PM Swanidhi’ and ‘Mudra Yojana’, saying such programmes are helping empowering rural and low-income women to participate in the financial ecosystem.
She further said that from the data of institutions like SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India), CGTMSE (Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises), and NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development), it is being seen that women are becoming responsible borrowers.
The government has implemented several women centric schemes like Mission Shakti, Matru Vandana Yojana and Janani Suraksha Yojana for the upliftment of women. The government is expected to increase budget allocation for these schemes in the upcoming budget.
Ahead of India’s Budget 2025-26 presentation on February 1, women’s organisations are voicing their expectations. Key demands include increased budget allocation for women’s empowerment schemes, improved access to quality jobs with flexible work policies and crèches, and equal pay. Organisations also highlight the need for favorable tax incentives to boost women’s participation in the financial ecosystem and emphasize the success of existing government initiatives like ‘Lakhpati Didi’ and ‘PM Swanidhi’. Biz News Business News – Personal Finance News, Share Market News, BSE/NSE News, Stock Exchange News Today
