Budget 2018 reactions: New initiatives for women spark excitement in some
Arun Jaitley
The finance minister started his budget speech at 11 am in the Rajya Sabha. As expected the Budget wooed rural voters and small business owners before the general assembly elections
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitleyon Thursday presented Budget 2018, theNarendra Modi government’s last full budgetbefore the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
A large share of as much as 76% of loan accounts are those of women with around 50% belonging to SC, ST, OBC women.
Jaitley's 2018 budget will target a total lending of Rs 3 lakh crore under theMudra Yojana which gives loans to women to encourage them to start new ventures.
Secondly, Jaitley announced free gas connections for women under theUjjwala Yojana which willrise to 8 crore connections from the current 5 crore
"Modi govt's decision to provide 8 crore gas connections under the historic PM Ujjwala Yojana is a landmark decision. It is a testimony of government's commitment towards women empowerment and improving the quality of lives of poor, both urban and rural," said BJP president Amit Shah.
The finance minister will also increase loans to women self-help groups by as much as 37%.
As for salaried women, Jaitley said that while the government will contribute 12% of the wages as Employee Provident Fund (EPF) in all sectors for the next three years, it will reduce contributions from women employees in that period to 8% from 12%.
Also, the EPF contribution reduction for women will also encourage organisation to take women on board.
Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Hind issued a statement expressing her "disappointment with the Union Budget 2918."
Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia was not very happy with the Budget for similar reasons as well.
However, some seemed to look forward to the new initiatives introduced by Jaitley.