Analyse the Government of India Annual Budget (2024-2025) by keeping Gender Budgeting as a framework and bringing out all gender-related allocations, programmes and schemes. Please Unit 2 for the framework to analyse the Government of India Budget

The Government of India’s Annual Budget for 2024-2025 marks a significant advancement in gender-responsive budgeting, reflecting a dedicated effort to integrate gender considerations across various sectors.

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This approach aligns with the framework outlined in Unit 2, which emphasizes the importance of incorporating gender perspectives into financial planning to promote equality and empowerment.

Key Highlights of the Gender Budget 2024-2025:

1. Overall Allocation:
   • The total allocation for the Gender Budget in 2024-2025 has been increased to ₹3,27,158.44 crore, representing a surge of 46.56% compared to the previous fiscal year.
2. Part A: 100% Provision for Women:
   • This section includes schemes where the entire budget is dedicated to women. Notable allocations include:
     • Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY): A significant portion of the budget is allocated to PMAY, which focuses on providing affordable housing to women, particularly in rural areas.
     • Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): Allocations under MGNREGA have been directed towards enhancing employment opportunities for women in rural areas.
3. Part B: 30% to 99% Allocation for Women:
   • This category includes schemes where a substantial portion of the budget benefits women. Examples are:
     • Jal Jeevan Mission: Aimed at providing tap water to households, this scheme has a significant allocation benefiting women, who are traditionally responsible for water collection.
     • Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan): While primarily targeting farmers, a portion of the benefits is directed towards women farmers, acknowledging their role in agriculture.
4. Part C: Less than 30% Allocation for Women:
   • This new section includes schemes where less than 30% of the budget is allocated to women. An example is:
     • Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan): as mentioned, a portion of the benefits is directed towards women farmers, even though the overall allocation is less than 30%.

Analysis:

• Increased Financial Commitment: The substantial increase in the Gender Budget allocation underscores the government’s commitment to addressing gender disparities and promoting women’s empowerment.
• Integration Across Sectors: The inclusion of gender considerations in diverse sectors such as housing, employment, water supply, and agriculture reflects a holistic approach to gender-responsive budgeting.
• Enhanced Transparency: The introduction of Part C in the Gender Budget Statement enhances transparency by categorizing schemes based on the extent of their benefits to women, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of gender allocations.

Conclusion:

The Gender Budget 2024-2025 represents a significant step towards achieving gender equality in India. By substantially increasing allocations and integrating gender considerations across various sectors, the government demonstrates a commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by women and promoting their empowerment.