Nirmala Sitharaman presented Union Budget-2025-26 on Saturday. Dr. Reenu Yadav, Founder, Kaya Foundation, New Delhi and Director, PIMR, Bhopal, said the recent budget allocation has left many taxpayers, particularly women, feeling overlooked.
According to Dr, Reenu, despite the emphasis on infrastructure development, the service sector has been relegated to the sidelines. Madhya Pradesh, in particular, seems to have been neglected in the allocation of resources.
Research and development, a crucial driver of innovation, has been largely ignored, with funds being channeled primarily towards national institutes. This raises concerns about the lack of support for grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship.
However, there are some positive initiatives worth noting. There are schemes that aim to promote entrepreneurship and skill development. The allocation of Rs 500 crore for the Center for Excellence in AI is also a welcome move.
According to Dr Reenu, other initiatives such as the development of medical education and medical tourism, cancer centers, and youth technological skills development programs, are also commendable. The provision of term loan schemes for ST/SC women and the establishment of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs are further examples of positive steps being taken.
Additionally, the increase in budget for startups, MSMEs, and micro businesses is a recognition of the importance of supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship.
Overall, while there are some concerns about the budget allocation, there are also several positive initiatives that have the potential to drive growth and development, Dr Reenu Yadav summed up.
