Budget 2024: More money for women!

BY A STAFF REPORTER: The women and child development ministry's salary is likely to be hiked by 3 per cent to Rs 26,212 crore in the interim budget, election sources said.

The expenditure is expected to be earmarked for expansion of marquee schemes such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Saksham Anganwadi and Self Help Groups (SHGs). Women voters are seen as important constituencies with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) aiming to win a third term.

In 2023-24, Mission Poshan aimed at improving child and maternal nutrition was allocated Rs 20,554 crore and the ministry expects it to increase to Rs 21,170 crore. In 2023-24, Rs 25,449 crore was allocated to the WCD Ministry, an increase of 6% compared to the revised estimate of 2022-23 (₹23,913 crore).