Chennai: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman addressed the industry leaders and stakeholders at a post-budget conclave here Monday.
She said the Russian military attack on Ukraine has caused great concern for the agricultural sector. The Centre had already held emergency discussions on the issue and has been analysing it in detail.
Since import of cooking oil, which was one of the essential commodities, would also be affected in view of the war between Ukraine and Russia, the government had been holding consultations to address the situation.
She said the government is trying to allocate more funds for education. However there is a financial problem. And to solve this the government is trying to increase the number of seats in higher education institutions and through modern technologies.
Stating that there were several women with very good talent in the country, she said the government has been taking several steps to hone their skills and provide job opportunities to them. Incentives were also being given to women entrepreneurs to enable them to contribute twards industrial development.
Nirmala assured that she would organise a meeting with the Surface Transport Ministry and Rail Ministry to address the logistics problems faced by the cement industry.
Nirmala said the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been taking various measures to empower women since 2014.
‘We wanted to free women from the hardships of kitchen, hence we launched free LPG scheme; we wanted to ease their burden of bringing water from far-away places, hence we launched Jal Jeevan scheme with assured supply; we wanted to protect their dignity and improve their health, hence we launched toilets at all houses scheme,’ she said.
She also listed out other schemes that are benefitting the women, including FPOs, seed banks, electricity to all households etc. ‘It is all about women-led development. If the woman in a family benefits, the whole family gets benefited,’ she said, adding each and every scheme since 2014 was conceived with women in mind.
She recalled Modi speaking about construction of toilets in his Independence Day address in Red Fort. She also said even in developed States like Tamilnadu, there were a few villages without electricity.
‘When the situation in a particular village here was brought to my attention, I intervened and ensured electricity was provided there,’ Nirmala Sitharaman said.
The Union Minister said fishermen too benefit from Farmers Producers Organisations. She recalled rationalising taxes in the budget to benefit cooperatives, since only the private sector was gaining earlier.
Earlier, officials of the Finance Ministry held a discussion on the Budget with industry leaders. Inputs received will be given due attention and necessary action will be taken during the upcoming budget session next month, she said.