The Interim Budget 2024 by India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman saw her focus on some key areas before the Lok Sabha elections later this year.
No change in tax slabs
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the Interim Budget 2024 said that there would be no changes in personal tax rates for direct and indirect taxes, including import duties.
Housing scheme
Sitharaman said the government will launch a housing scheme for middle class, who have been living in rented houses, slums or unauthorised colonies to buy or build their own houses.
Vaccinations for cervical cancer
While focusing on the health sector, the union finance minister said the government will start encouraging vaccination for cervical cancer for girls in the age group of 9 - 14 year olds in India.
Interest-free loans
While mainly focusing on women, the poor, farmers and youth, among other areas, Sitharaman said that for the youth of the country, she said the government will establish a corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore with a 50 year interest-free loan.
Health cover
Sitharaman said the health cover will be extended to all Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) and anganwadi workers under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
Travel and tourism
After the recent Maldives row, the Indian finance minister also focussed on Lakshadweep and said the government would also take the efforts to improve tourism infrastructure for the Indian island.
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