Budget 2024: Govt Plans To Set Up More Medical Colleges; Highlights Of Nirmala Sitharaman’s Speech

Female enrollment in STEM courses has reached 43%, marking one of the highest rates globally, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Interim Budget 2024 today, February 1, 2024. The Budget outlined the government's plans for the remainder of its term. A comprehensive budget can only be presented after the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, once a new government is formed. During her budget speech, she said that female enrollment in STEM courses has reached 43%, marking one of the highest rates globally. Additionally, the government intends to establish more medical colleges by leveraging existing hospital infrastructure.

During the speech, Nirmala Sitharaman said, "Our nation's prosperity hinges on effectively empowering and preparing our youth. The National Education Policy 2020 is spearheading transformative reforms. PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) is instrumental in delivering top-notch education and fostering holistic development in individuals."

"The Skill India Mission has successfully trained 1.4 crore youth, upskilled and reskilled 54 lakh individuals and established 3000 new ITIs. A significant number of new higher learning institutions, including 7 IITs, 16 IIITs, 7 IIMs, 15 AIIMS, and 390 universities, have been established," She added.

Under the PM Mudra Yojana, 43 crore loans totaling Rs. 22.5 lakh crore have been sanctioned to support the entrepreneurial aspirations of our youth. FM highlighted that initiatives such as the Fund of Funds, Start-Up India and Start-Up Credit Guarantee schemes are aiding our youth in becoming self-employed.

Highlighting the achievements of youth, FM said, "Our nation takes pride in the achievements of our youth in sports, as evidenced by the record medal tally in the Asian Games and Asian Para Games in 2023. Chess prodigy Praggnanandhaa, India's top-ranked player, displayed remarkable skill in challenging the reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen in 2023. Today, India boasts over 80 chess grandmasters, a significant increase from just over 20 in 2010."

Sitharaman also shared the government's plan to open more medical colleges. Sitharaman said, "Several youths are ambitious to get qualified as doctors. They aim to serve our people through improved healthcare services. Our Government plans to set up more medical colleges by utilizing the existing hospital infrastructure under various departments. A committee for this purpose will be set up to examine the issues and make relevant recommendations."

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