Interim Budget 2024: In her last Budget before the Lok Sabha elections, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday announced several new schemes and intiatives by the government to boost overall economic growth and development in the country.

While delivering her budget speech, Sitharaman said that infrastructure spending has increased by 11.1 percent to Rs 11.11 lakh crore as compared to the 10 lakh crore in last year.

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Housing scheme for middle class

In her sixth Budget, Sitharaman announced a new housing scheme for middle class.

“Our government will launch a scheme to help deserving sections of middle class to buy or build their own houses,” she said.

Tourism projects in Lakshadweep

Sitharaman said projects for tourism will be taken up at islands, including Lakshadweep.

“Tourism, including spiritual tourism, has tremendous opportunities and all states will be encouraged to take up iconic tourist spots and develop them,” she explained.

New medical colleges across the country

A committee will be set up to give its recommendations on setting up new medical collages across the country using the existing hospital infrastructure.

“Our government plans to set up more medical colleges by using existing hospital infrastructure. A committee will be set up to make recommendations on this,” FM Sitharaman said.

Rs 1 lakh crore loan for private sector

In order to boost the private sector research in sunrise sectors, the government had decided to provide long term loans of Rs 1 lakh crore at minimal or zero interest rates.

“A corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore with 50-year interest free loans will provide long term financing at low or nil interest rates for the private sector to scale up research in sunrise sectors,” she announced.

No change in taxation

In her Budget speech, the finance minister said, “I do not propose any changes in tax rates in direct and indirect taxes including import duties.”

40,000 rail bogies to be converted to Vande Bharat standards

Sitharaman said that key rail infrastructure projects including Metro Rail and Namo Bharat will be expanded to more cities and around 40,000 rail bogies will be converted to Vande Bharat coaches.

Ayushman Bharat cover extended

“Ayushman Bharat cover will be extended to all Anganwadi and Asha workers. All maternal and child healthcare schemes will be brought under one comprehensive scheme. Furthermore, the government is enhancing the target for Lakhpati Didi scheme to ₹3 crore from ₹2 crore,” she announced.