Budget 2021: Social sector, infra push likely

New Delhi: The first budget to be presented after the Covid-19 outbreak is expected to give an infrastructure push along with emphasis on the social sector with big-ticket announcements on Metro links, a new urban water mission for cities with 1 lakh population, increased outlay for vulnerable sections like transgenders, senior citizens and scholarship for disadvantaged sections. The infrastructure ministries including housing and urban affairs, road transport and highways and shipping are likely to see a 15-25% increase in outlay –– a considerable jump after the government cut budgets across ministries to meet expenditure for its fight against Covid-19. A senior government official told ET: “The infrastructure ministries are likely to see a jump over the 2019-20 budget estimates. This would be done as infrastructure push helps the economy in general to recover.” With most of its flagship missions — including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (both rural and urban), Smart City, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation — entering the final year of implementation, the government is likely to give them one final push and an additional year to meet the targets. High-level sources indicated that the second phase of Swachh Bharat Mission would be unveiled in the budget with emphasis on urban and rural transformation. The cleanliness mission is likely to go beyond building toilets. Funds may be earmarked for septage tanks, treatment plants and sewer network. The government is likely to earmark ₹1.48 lakh crore for five years of implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II. The mission period had ended on March 31, 2020, but was extended for another year till March 2021. Now, a new phase will begin from April 1. According to sources, the government would launch Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) which would provide piped water supply and tap connections to all households in cities with less than 1 lakh population.The government is also likely to line up a slew of social sector initiatives. It has already shown its intention with a complete revamp of post matriculate scholarship for Scheduled Caste students. According to sources, the government is likely to increase outlay for schemes for vulnerable sections including transgenders and senior citizens. The government is likely to include construction of half-way homes for transgenders and beggars in the Budget. Another area of emphasis would be scholarship for meritorious students belonging to disadvantaged sections. The government is likely to announce an umbrella scheme for educational scholarships and plan an enhancement of the Centre’s share.

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