The Union Budget 2021-22, recently presented by the Minister of Finance, was conducted in a completely digital format for the first time in India’s history. Based on six core pillars: health and well-being, physical and financial capital and infrastructure, inclusive development for aspirational India, reinvigorating human capital, innovation and R&D, and ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’, this article will delve into the allocated provisions for Health and Wellbeing.
The Union Budget and its Constitutional Provisions
According to Article 112 of the Indian Constitution, the Union Budget for each fiscal year is known as the Annual Financial Statement (AFS). This is a projection of the Government’s estimated receipts and expenditure for a Financial Year. The fiscal year starts on 1st April of the current year and concludes on 31st March of the subsequent year.
The budget includes revenue and capital receipts estimates, methods to increase revenue, estimated expenditures, details of actual receipts and expenditure for the closing year and the reasons for any deficit or excess that year. Additionally, it outlines the economic and financial policy for the forthcoming year, including taxation proposals, revenue prospects, spending program and introduction of new schemes or projects.
The budget undergoes six different stages in the Parliament including presentation, general discussion, scrutiny by Departmental Committees, voting on demands for grants, passing of an Appropriation Bill, and the passing of a Finance Bill.
The Budget Division of the Department of Economic Affairs within the Ministry of Finance is responsible for the preparation of the budget. The initial budget of Independent India was presented in 1947.
Budget 2021: Major Outlay and Steps Towards Health and Well-being
The expenditure for Health and Wellbeing has seen a substantial increase of 137% in comparison to 2020-21. This decision is reflective of the continued focus on public health amidst a global pandemic.
Significant measures for the enhancement of health and wellbeing have been introduced. A hefty sum of Rs. 35,000 crore has been assigned for the Covid-19 vaccine in Budget Expenditure (BE) 2021-22. Furthermore, the Made-in-India Pneumococcal Vaccine will be distributed nationwide.
Plus, a new centrally sponsored scheme, PM AatmaNirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana, is set to launch in conjunction with the National Health Mission (NHM). Also, Mission Poshan 2.0 will debut and aim to better nutritional outcomes across 112 aspirational districts.
Universal Coverage of Water Supply and Cleanliness Initiatives
Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) is another new initiative that aims to provide safe tap water to 2.86 crore households. Urban Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 will be empowered to solidify India’s cleanliness measures.
A considerable amount of Rs. 2,217 crore has been allocated to address air pollution in 42 urban centers with a population of over a million. The government also plans to roll out a voluntary vehicle scrapping policy to phase out old and unfit vehicles, as part of their resolution to bolster a cleaner environment.
The Union Budget 2021-22 heavily emphasizes the importance of health and wellbeing, which is especially significant in the ongoing Covid-19 scenario, and takes a stride towards a cleaner, healthier, and well-equipped nation.
