To promote circular economy practices, the budget proposes a 5 per cent CBG mandate for organisations engaged in marketing natural and biogas

In her final budget presentation ahead of the upcoming elections, Finance Minister Nirmala Seetharaman outlined a comprehensive set of proposals aimed at advancing sustainable development, environmental conservationand inclusive growth. During her budget speech, she underscored the government’s commitment to the Saptarishi concept, encompassing seven key areas of development, with a focus on green innovation and social welfare.

To tap into India’s substantial potential in environment-friendly biogas, the government intends to establish 500 ‘waste to wealth’ facilities under the GOBARdhan Scheme, allocating Rs 10,000 crores. This initiative includes 200 compressed biogas (CBG) units in urban areas and 300 community-based plants.To promote circular economy practices, the budget proposes a 5 per cent  CBG mandate for organisations involved in marketing natural and biogas. Fiscal support for biomass collection and bio-manure distribution signals a comprehensive approach to sustainable waste management.

Allocating a significant Rs 19,700 crores, the budget aims to strengthen Green Growth and the National Green Hydrogen Mission, targeting the production of 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen annually by 2030 to drive India’s transition to clean and renewable energy sources.

Addressing net-zero emission and decarbonisation goals, the budget allocates Rs 35,000 crores for priority capital investments and viability gap funding for battery energy storage systems with a capacity of 4,000 MWH.Leveraging Ladakh’s renewable energy potential, the budget introduces an inter-state transmission system to facilitate the evacuation and grid integration of 13 GW of renewable energy. The Rs-20,700-crore initiative receives support with an allocation of Rs 8,300 crore.

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, dedicated to meeting housing needs and ensuring affordable living, receives a substantial boost of Rs 79,000 crores, marking a 66 per cent  increase over the previous year.Expanding on the success of the Aspirational Districts Programme, the government proposes the Aspirational Blocks Programme, covering 500 blocks. This initiative aims to saturate these blocks with essential government services, spanning health, nutrition, education, agriculture, water resources, financial inclusion, skill developmentand basic infrastructure.

For the welfare of vulnerable tribal groups, the Finance Minister allocates Rs 15,000 crore for the Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission. This initiative focuses on providing basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water, sanitation, education, healthcare, road and telecom connectivityand sustainable livelihood opportunities. The education sector receives a significant allocation to support the recruitment of 38,800 teachers and support staff for the 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools over the next three years, benefiting 3.5 lakh tribal students.

To empower women economically, the budget builds on the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, organising rural women into 81 lakh self-help groups. These groups will now be empowered to form larger producer enterprises, improving their incomes and overall economic and social status. In a historic move, the budget introduces the PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman (PM VIKAS) scheme to support traditional artisans and craftspeople, focusing on financial assistance, advanced skill training, knowledge of digital techniques, brand promotionand social security, with a particular emphasis on Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, womenand weaker sections. The interim budget, with its emphasis on sustainable practices, inclusive growthand social well-being, provides insights into the future policy direction of the BJP government should it retain office post-elections.