Overview

• The budget allocates ₹1.23 lakh crore for women's welfare, including ₹18,669 crore for the Ladli Behna Scheme, which now links to pension and insurance provisions.
• ₹70,515 crore has been earmarked for infrastructure development, including rural roads, bridges, and airstrip upgrades under the Udaan scheme, despite skepticism about project viability.
• Agriculture sees a ₹39,207 crore allocation with enhanced funding for crop insurance, irrigation, and electricity subsidies to support farmers and boost productivity.
• Critics highlight the fiscal deficit of 4.66% and increasing public debt, with opposition leaders accusing the government of relying heavily on loans without addressing core issues like job creation.
• State employees express dissatisfaction as the budget fails to implement the 8th pay scale, DA parity with central employees, or regularization policies for contractual workers.