"Budget 2023-24: Key Takeaways for Indian Citizens"

 The Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for the financial year 2023-24 on February 1, 2023. The budget, which was keenly awaited by the citizens and the industry, focused on reviving the Indian economy post-pandemic, boosting infrastructure, and reducing the income inequality gap.

Here are some of the key highlights from the budget:

1. Healthcare: The government allocated a record-breaking amount of ₹2.23 lakh crore for healthcare, which is an increase of 137% from the previous year. This allocation will go towards strengthening the healthcare infrastructure, increasing the number of hospitals, and improving the availability of essential medicines.

2. Infrastructure: The government announced an allocation of ₹111 lakh crore for infrastructure development, which includes investments in roads, ports, airports, and digital infrastructure. The finance minister stated that the focus would be on creating modern and sustainable infrastructure that drives growth and job creation.

3. Agriculture: The government allocated ₹1.41 lakh crore for the agriculture sector, which is a significant increase from the previous year. The budget aims to boost the income of farmers, increase the availability of credit, and improve the supply chain for agricultural products.

4. Education: The government announced an allocation of ₹93,000 crore for education, which includes investments in higher education, research, and innovation. The budget also proposed setting up of a National Recruitment Agency to conduct a common eligibility test for recruitment to non-gazetted posts.

5. Direct Taxes: The finance minister announced that the government would reduce the tax burden on the middle-class by increasing the standard deduction and providing tax rebates.

In conclusion, the budget presented by the government focused on reviving the Indian economy, boosting infrastructure, and reducing the income inequality gap. The government's focus on the agriculture sector, healthcare, education, and direct taxes is expected to have a positive impact on the Indian economy in the coming years.