Budget 2019 expectation: What does Modi govt have for women? Let’s take a look

Last year, Modi-government announced various schemes to ensure the empowerment of women in the country.

Though the success of these schemes is still debatable, hopes are certainly high even this time. (Image: PTI)

Budget 2019: As the sixth and final Budget of the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA government will be rolled out on February 1, special focus will be what’s there in Finance Minister Arun Jaitley suitcase for women this time. Last year, Modi-government announced various schemes including health and maternity benefits, free gas connections, MUDRA scheme including various safety measures to ensure empowerment of women in the country. Though the success of these schemes is still debatable, hopes are certainly high even this time. So, how will this year’s Budget affect the women of our country? Let’s take a look. Women Safety: Safety of women has been one big concern for the government as cases of rapes and physical assault on women has frequently made headline over the past one year. The government, on various occasions, has been hurdled by the Opposition over the constant increase in crime again women in the country. This time it is believed that the Modi government could make big announcements under the Nirbharya Fund corpus. Strengthening of Women Helpline scheme, One Stop Centre scheme, Mahila Police Volunteer scheme, Ujjawala scheme and others can be in government's priority list. Uplifting Rural Women: With 2019 Lok Sabha elections around the corner, Modi government aims to lure rural voters of the country and announcing schemes for rural women could surely be one of government’s masterstroke. In 2018 Budget, special attention was given to rural women with Jaitley announced increment in beneficiaries of the Ujjawala Yojana to 8 crores. In 2017, the government said it would give 7 crore women free gas connections under the scheme. Apart from this, major announcements can be made to further strengthen Women Self Help Group and National Rural Livelihood Mission by increasing their fund allocation limits. Women Education: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme might further witness an increase in fund allocation from the previous Budget’s Rs 280 crore. The scheme has been touted as a unique initiative for dealing proactively with discrimination against the girl child and has always been on government's top priority. Women Employment: Last but not the least, women employment has always been challenging task for the government. Though, the ratio has eventually increased but way slow than expected. BJP government, during its last Budget, promised to increase job opportunities for women. However, some of the heaviest cuts – more than 50 percent – have been in schemes that enable women in getting employment. Women-specific allocation under the MSME sector would be something to expect in the upcoming budget