Government Unveils People-Centric 2024-25 Budget with Focus on Urban Development

Union minister Manohar Lal praised the 2024-25 Budget, citing its people-centric nature and focus on various societal sections, particularly women and farmers. Notably, the Budget includes provisions for constructing one crore houses in cities and allocates funds for urban infrastructure development, alongside a significant investment in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban initiative.

Union minister Manohar Lal on Wednesday lauded the 2024-25 Budget as people-centric, emphasizing that the central government has considered every section of society, notably women and farmers.

Speaking to reporters, the Union housing and urban affairs minister highlighted that the Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman includes a provision to fund one crore houses in urban areas.

'In the Union Budget, numerous schemes have been announced for the welfare of all societal sections. The Budget also prioritizes infrastructure, allocating funds for the construction of one crore houses,' Lal stated.

On Tuesday, the government declared central assistance of Rs 2.2 lakh crore over the next five years to address the housing needs of one crore urban poor and middle-class families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban, along with proposing an interest subsidy to provide loans at affordable rates.

The government noted that under the PM Awas Yojana Urban 2.0, housing requirements of one crore urban poor and middle-class families would be met with an investment of Rs 10 lakh crore.

Discussing budgetary allocations for cities, the minister mentioned that the Budget includes provisions for multiple projects aimed at the comprehensive development of urban areas.

Lal added that the government has also announced a transit-oriented development plan for 14 large cities with populations exceeding 30 lakh in its 2024-25 Budget.