Some have termed the BJP-led NDA budget for 2018-19 a “Sub ka Saath” budget as it cuts across all sectors and categories of citizens. This was unmistakably a budget aimed at the 2019 general elections. Hence it tries to please the voter, the poor, the farmer, women, youth, scheduled tribes and scheduled castes et al. While North East India as a region was not mentioned and the budget was largely pan-Indian, the Ministry for Development of the North East Region (MDoNER) was allocated Rs 3000 crore for 2018-19. This is an 11.8 percent rise from the previous year’s which was Rs 2682.45 crore. That the budget looks at a Restructured Bamboo Mission fund of Rs 1200 crores also means that the North Eastern Region will get a substantial outlay, being the home of the bamboo. The region is also getting an allocation of Rs 1014.09 crore for aviation infrastructure which would enhance air connectivity within the region. However, the problem of air transport of perishables such as flowers and niche products from the region still remains a challenge. Interestingly the Sela Pass a high altitude mountain pass will see the construction of a tunnel under it for enhancing tourism prospects although knowledgeable sources believe this is more to do with military expediency.
The highlight of this Budget is the health insurance scheme of Rs five lakh per annum for 10 crore vulnerable families which will amount to 50 crore beneficiaries. This is essentially for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. Finance Minister, Jaitley terms this as the world’s largest government funded health care programme. This government had drawn much flak for not addressing farmer’s distress and farmer suicides. It was therefore not surprising that the Budget speaks of doubling farmers’ income by 2022 and that it would keep Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the all unannounced crops of kharif at least at one and half times of their production cost. Jaitley termed this as a ‘historic decision’ and was confident it would yield results.
While Jaitley read out the Budget he missed no opportunity to point out that reforms and changes had largely put a halt to corruption. Prime Minister Modi on his part stated that the Budget will provide the citizens of India, “ease of living.”