Interim Budget 2024: Annadata To Kartavya Kaal, Explaining Terms Used By Nirmala Sitharaman In Budget Speech

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamana presented the interim budget of the Modi government in the Lok Sabha today. This is the Modi government’s last budget before they go to the voters to seek a mandate for their third straight term at the centre. The country will enter the election phase as soon as the Election Commission announces the voting schedule in the coming weeks. In her budget speech, the FM used certain key phrases and slogans and here we decode them for you and explain what they mean. Take a look:     

1. Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Vishwa with Sabka Prayas: This is Narendra Modi Government’s long standing slogan. FM said, “Our development philosophy covered all elements of inclusivity, namely, social inclusivity through coverage of all strata of the society, and geographical inclusivity through the development of all regions of the country. With the ‘whole of nation’ approach of ‘Sabka Prayas’, the country overcame the challenge of a once-in-a-century pandemic, and took long strides towards Self-reliant India.”

2. Panch Pran of Amrit Kaal: This term was first used in an earlier budget by Nirmala Sitharaman. Panch Pran includes Goal of Developing India, Removal of Colonial Mindset, Take Pride in Our Roots, Unity and Sense of Duty in Citizens. 

3. Har ghar jal: The Modi govt has promised in their budget to provide clean drinking water to all households in the Amrit Kaal together with housing for all, electricity for all, cooking gas for all, bank accounts and financial services for all. “Development programmes, in the last ten years, have targeted every household and individual, through ‘housing for all’, ‘har ghar jal’, electricity for all, cooking gas for all, bank accounts and financial services for all, in record time,” Sitharaman said. 

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4. Annadata: This is the term the Modi govt uses for farmers. In the budget speech, FM said, “Minimum support prices for the produce of ‘Annadata’ are periodically increased appropriately. These and the provision of basic necessities have enhanced real income in the rural areas.”

5. Sarvangeen, Sarv-sparshi aur Sarva-samaveshi: This literally translates to all-round, all-pervasive and all-inclusive. Sitharaman, in her budget speech, said that the government is working with an approach to development that is all-round, all-pervasive and all-inclusive. “It covers all castes and people at all levels. We are working to make India a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. For achieving that goal, we need to improve people’s capability and empower them,” she said.  

6. Bhai-Bhaitijawaad and secularism in action: This political jibe has been used by all parties but the BJP uses it to target parties which are run by political dynasties. In the budget as well, FM threw this political barb at the opposition and said that previously, social justice was mostly a political slogan. “For our Government, social justice is an effective and necessary governance model. The saturation approach of covering all eligible people is the true and comprehensive achievement of social justice. This is secularism in action, reduces corruption, and prevents nepotism (bhai bhatijawaad). There is transparency and assurance that benefits are delivered to all eligible people.”

7. Four New Castes: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his earlier speeches has described that there are four new castes that his government looks after namely, ‘Garib’ (Poor), ‘Mahilayen’ (Women), ‘Yuva’ (Youth) and ‘Annadata’ (Farmer). The FM mentioned that in her budget speech and said that their needs, their aspirations, and their welfare are the government’s highest priority. 

8. Amrit Peedhi, the Yuva: FM said that the Modi govt has focused on the well-being of the youth. “Our prosperity depends on adequately equipping and empowering the youth,” she said. 

9. Rozgardata: Terming the start-ups and MSME established by youth as new generators of employment, Nirmala Sitharaman said, “PM Mudra Yojana has sanctioned 43 crore loans aggregating to Rs 22.5 lakh crore for entrepreneurial aspirations of our youth. Besides that, Fund of Funds, Start-Up India, and Start-Up Credit Guarantee schemes are assisting our youth. They are also becoming rozgardata.” 

10. Nari Shakti: This term is used for the empowerment of women through entrepreneurship, ease of living, and dignity for them. FM said that 30 crore Mudra Yojana loans have been given to women entrepreneurs. “Female enrolment in higher education has gone up by twenty-eight per cent in ten years. In STEM courses, girls and women constitute forty-three per cent of enrolment - one of the highest in the world. All these measures are getting reflected in the increasing participation of women in the workforce,” she said.

11. New GDP: The FM unveiled a new acronym for GDP, i.e., ’Governance, Development and Performance’.  

12. Muft bijli: Nirmala Sitharamn said that through rooftop solarization, one crore households will be enabled to obtain up to 300 units of free electricity every month. “This scheme follows the resolve of the Prime Minister on the historic day of consecration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya,” she added.  

13. Mission Indradhanush: FM said that the newly designed U-WIN platform for managing immunization and intensified efforts of Mission Indradhanush will be rolled out expeditiously throughout the country. Mission Indradhanush (MI) was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on 25th December 2014. The Mission Indradhanush aims to cover all those children who are either unvaccinated or are partially vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases.

14. Lakhpati Didi: Talking about the scheme FM said that 83 lakh SHGs with nine crore women are transforming the rural socio-economic landscape with empowerment and self-reliance. The Lakhpati Didi Initiative focuses on women’s economic empowerment through skill development and multiple livelihood activities. “Their success has assisted nearly one crore women to become Lakhpati Didi already. They are an inspiration to others. Their achievements will be recognized by honouring them. Buoyed by the success, it has been decided to enhance the target for Lakhpati Didi from 2 crore to 3 crore,” she said.

15. Jai Anusandhan: This focuses on research and innovation. “Prime Minister Shastri gave the slogan of “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”. Prime Minister Vajpayee made that “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Jai Vigyan”. Prime Minister Modi has furthered that to “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Jai Vigyan and Jai Anusandhan”, as innovation is the foundation of development,” FM said. 

16. Blue Economy 2.0: This term is used for the development of India’s marine and fisheries activities. “For promoting climate resilient activities for blue economy 2.0, a scheme for restoration and adaptation measures, and coastal aquaculture and mariculture with integrated and multi-sectoral approach will be launched,” FM said. 

17. Kartavya Kaal: It is another term FM used for Amrit Kaal. Modi govt uses this term for the period between the 75th and 100th Independence Day. “Prime Minister in his Independence Day address to the nation, in the 75th year of our Republic said; we “commit ourselves to national development, with new inspirations, new consciousness, new resolutions, as the country opens up immense possibilities and opportunities. It is our ‘Kartavya Kaal’,” FM explained.