financial year. This would enable the Ministries and Departments to operationalise all schemes and projects, including the new schemes, right from the commencement of the next financial year. They would be able to fully utilise the available working season before the onset of the monsoon. Second, the merger of the Railways Budget with the General Budget is a historic step. We have discontinued the colonial practice prevalent since 1924. This decision brings the Railways to the centre stage of Government’s fiscal policy and would facilitate multi modal transport planning between railways, highways and inland waterways. The functional autonomy of Railways will, however, continue. Third, we have done away with the plan and non-plan classification of expenditure. This will give us a holistic view of allocations for sectors and ministries. This would facilitate optimal allocation of resources. Madam Speaker, we are aware that we need to do more for our people. Continuing with the task of fulfilling the people’s expectations, our agenda for the next year is : Energise and Clean India”, that is, “Transform, TEC India. This agenda of TEC India seeks to Transform the quality of governance and quality of life of our people; Energise various sections of society, especially the youth and the vulnerable, and enable them to unleash their true potential; and Clean the country from the evils of corruption, black money and non-transparent political funding. I propose to present my Budget proposals under ten distinct themes to foster this broad agenda. The themes are : Farmers : for whom we have committed to double the income in 5 years; Rural Population : providing employment and basic infrastructure; Youth : energising them through education, skills and jobs; : strengthening the systems of Poor and the Underprivileged social security, health care and affordable housing; Infrastructure: for efficiency, productivity and quality of life; Financial Sector : growth and stability through stronger institutions; Digital Economy : for speed, accountability and transparency;
financial year. This would enable the Ministries and Departments to operationalise all schemes and projects, including the new schemes, right from the commencement of the next financial year. They would be able to fully utilise the available working season before the onset of the monsoon. Second, the merger of the Railways Budget with the General Budget is a historic step. We have discontinued the colonial practice prevalent since 1924. This decision brings the Railways to the centre stage of Government’s fiscal policy and would facilitate multi modal transport planning between railways, highways and inland waterways. The functional autonomy of Railways will, however, continue. Third, we have done away with the plan and non-plan classification of expenditure. This will give us a holistic view of allocations for sectors and ministries. This would facilitate optimal allocation of resources. Madam Speaker, we are aware that we need to do more for our people. Continuing with the task of fulfilling the people’s expectations, our agenda for the next year is : “Transform, Energise and Clean India”, that is, TEC India. This agenda of TEC India seeks to Transform the quality of governance and quality of life of our people; Energise various sections of society, especially the youth and the vulnerable, and enable them to unleash their true potential; and Clean the country from the evils of corruption, black money and non-transparent political funding. I propose to present my Budget proposals under ten distinct themes to foster this broad agenda. The themes are : Farmers : for whom we have committed to double the income in 5 years; Rural Population : providing employment and basic infrastructure; Youth : energising them through education, skills and jobs; Poor and the Underprivileged : strengthening the systems of social security, health care and affordable housing; Infrastructure: for efficiency, productivity and quality of life; Financial Sector : growth and stability through stronger institutions; Digital Economy : for speed, accountability and transparency;
bs.docx