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The <keyword id="19987636" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bihar-government" source="keywords">Bihar government</keyword> is making serious efforts to give a fillip to <keyword id="23049947" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="small-scale-and-medium-enterprises" source="Orion">small-scale and medium enterprises</keyword> which would play a crucial role in the overall <keyword id="352701" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-development" source="Orion">economic development</keyword> of the state, a top official of the Industries department said. Around Rs 2,900 crore have been disbursed to nearly 74,540 beneficiaries under two schemes, one of which was launched only last year, for promoting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ( <keyword id="19910977" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="MSMEs" source="keywords">MSMEs</keyword>) in the state, the official said. <keyword id="19903647" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bihar" source="keywords">Bihar</keyword> has a strong MSME base. To promote innovation ecosystem and unlock the enormous entrepreneurial potential of the state, the Mukhya Mantri Udyami Yojana (MMUY) and <keyword id="23049946" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bihar-Laghu-Udyami-Yojana" source="keywords">Bihar Laghu Udyami Yojana</keyword> (BLUY) were launched in 2018 and 2023 respectively focusing on promotion of MSMEs in the state. "A total of Rs 2,697 crore was disbursed to 34,441 beneficiaries from 2018 till now under MMUY. Similarly, till date Rs 200 crore of the first instalment has been disbursed to 40,099 beneficiaries under BLUY", Secretary, Department of Industries, Bandana Preyashi told PTI. On the one hand, Bihar is getting big ticket investments for major manufacturing units and on the other hand, the state government is also enabling an ecosystem where the MSMEs can thrive on the ground level for the benefit of the rural economy, Preyashi said. The Bihar Laghu Udyami Yojana aims to provide job opportunities to at least one member of poor families whose monthly income is less than Rs 6,000 a month, she said. The state government is providing Rs 2 lakh to each beneficiary in three instalments to set up and run micro and small industrial and processing units, Preyashi said. The government's objective is promotion of MSMEs through awareness, training and handholding support, the Industries secretary said. The state government is encouraging entrepreneurs and investors through the provision of a safe and sound work environment and basic infrastructural facilities which include land, roads, electricity, and water availability, she said. The Industries secretary further said, "With new policies of the state government, Bihar is witnessing significant investment promotion activities, reinforcing its position as an emerging business and industrial hub in the country. During the Bihar Business Connect 2023, 278 companies signed MoUs, committing to investments totalling Rs 50,530 crore." the secretary said. The state government has implemented the Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy (BIPP), Bihar Logistics Policy 2023, Ethanol Production Incentive Policy 2021 and Textile and Leather Policy 2022 to promote industrial growth and investment in the state. "Under these policies, stage-1 clearance was given to 481 applications, with a proposed investment amount of Rs 4,512.85 crore. A total of 175 units were given clearance for financial incentives with an investment of Rs 2,195.10 crore, an all-time high, since the inception of the state investment promotion policies," she said. In 2023-24, 255 startups were recognized in the state and a total of Rs 11.92 crore has been disbursed as seed funding to these startups. From April 2023 to January 2024, Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA) allotted plots/sheds to 427 units having a total investment size of Rs 6,145 crore covering 492 acres of land and also creating 35,224 employment in the state, said the secretary. "Infrastructure development in industrial areas was given top priority. Funds of Rs 409.33 crore were approved under Part I and Rs 212.68 crore for construction of unity mall under special assistance to states in 2023-24. In the current financial year of 2024-25,149 units have been granted stage I clearance for a proposed investment amount in Rs 3,950.48 crore in Bihar State Investment Promotion Board", she said. At present, Bihar's proposal to establish a multi-sector Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Nawanagar and Kumarbagh has been approved by the Government of India. "Authorities concerned are also working on the establishment of Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) in Bihar that will help Bihari Exporters to expand their businesses to international markets", said the secretary. Bihar Chief Minister <keyword id="19907431" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nitish-kumar" source="keywords">Nitish Kumar</keyword> on August 3 this year laid the foundation stone for Rs 1,600 crore cement grinding unit of Ambuja Concrete North Private Limited, a subsidiary of Adani group's Ambuja Cements, in Warisaliganj block in Nawada district. This is considered the largest investment in the state by a cement industry player. "The project is expected to create 250 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs on the site. The project will meet the growing infrastructure needs of Bihar. Adani Group has decided to invest additional Rs 5,500 crore in Bihar in various sectors, including cement manufacturing (in Muzaffarpur), logistics (near Patna) and projects related to agro-industry in Araria, Kishanganj and Begusarai. A total of 40,000 employment will be generated by these investments", said the statement issued by the CMO after the conclusion of the event on August 4.

Bihar government disburses Rs 2,900 crore to 74,540 beneficiaries for promoting MSMEs: Official

In a small village in Zambia, a teenager carries the key to her <keyword id="21911075" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bicycle" source="keywords">bicycle</keyword> lock around her neck like an ornament. Her father, the leader of the hamlet frowns upon it. But it has little to no effect on her, because the bicycle was her key to freedom, and symbolic of the agency she now had over her life. <div type="image" title="Students of Government Manorama Vidyapith Girls High School in Patna (2009)" agency="BCCL" msid="113057493" hostid="261"></div> Similarly, a girl in her neighbouring village would deflate her cycle’s tyres every day, and bury the key somewhere far from the reach of her brother, to stop him from using it. Why were these young women so territorial and proud over a seemingly modest mode of commute to their school? How is it related to Bihar, and how has something as small and insignificant as a bicycle paved the way for a broader movement of woman empowerment? Read on to find out! <h2>Bihar’s Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana</h2>Being one of the most impoverished states in India, Bihar is plagued with a large gender gap in school attendance. This gap in attendance in schools only grows with age. The enrollment of girls in primary school is satisfactory, largely due to the availability of primary schools and the introduction of schemes like the midday meal. However, distance remains a huge barrier in the hinterlands, pushing them further away from attending secondary school. In 2006, the Nitish Kumar-led state government, launched the Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana, a pioneering cash-for-kind program to empower girls through education. The program initially provided ₹2000 to 14-year-old girls enrolled in 9th grade, enabling them to purchase bicycles. This initiative was designed to address one of the most significant barriers to education for girls in Bihar—long distances to secondary schools. But, how profound were the implications of this policy intervention? In 2008, <a href="https://www.nishithprakash.com">Professor Nishith Prakash</a> from Northeastern University and <a href="https://econweb.ucsd.edu/~kamurali/index.html">Professor Kartik Muralidharan</a> of the University of California, San Diego embarked on a study to gauge the policy’s impact with support from the International Growth Centre (IGC). Their research found that this bicycle program increased age-appropriate secondary school enrolment for girls aged 14-15 by 32%. It also reduced the gender gap in enrolment by 40%. Moreover, the number of girls appearing for and passing the 10th-grade exam rose by 18% and 12%, respectively. The success of this initiative highlighted the transformative power of providing a bicycle. Inspired by the Bihar program's success, Professor Prakash later collaborated with <a href="https://worldbicyclerelief.org">World Bicycle Relief (WBR)</a> and Zambia's Ministry of General Education to implement a similar initiative in the Southern province of Zambia. <h2>After Bihar, why Zambia?</h2>Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa that has made significant strides in improving access to primary education with near-universal primary school enrolment. However, the story, when it comes to girls in secondary education, is markedly different. The drop-off for girls, as they transition to secondary education is stark. According to the World Bank’s 2015 report ‘Policy Brief: Zambia,’ their enrolment fell to just 61% at the lower secondary level. The same report states that girls drop out of school at double the rate of boys in Grade 7 and triple the rate of boys by Grade 11. <h2>A tough road to secondary school</h2>Transitioning to, and completing secondary education is particularly challenging for girls, primarily due to barriers like school fees, long distances to school, and societal factors such as teenage pregnancy and child marriage. These challenges are even more pronounced in rural areas. Additionally, this transition to secondary school often coincides with the onset of menstruation, which brings its own set of challenges. The lack of menstrual hygiene facilities in schools, coupled with the stigma and lack of awareness surrounding menstruation, further exacerbates the already significant gap in girls' education. Nearly 98% of girls in their sample reported walking to school, spending an average of 110 minutes commuting just one way, as reported in a <a href="https://www.cesifo.org/en/publications/2022/working-paper/wheels-change-transforming-girls-lives-bicycles">new study</a> authored by Professor Nishith Prakash and his collaborators. Alarmingly, 35% of these girls reported experiencing sexual harassment during their commute, highlighting just how perilous a journey many face in their pursuit of education. This <a href="https://www.cesifo.org/en/publications/2022/working-paper/wheels-change-transforming-girls-lives-bicycles">intervention</a> was introduced in Zambia, providing bicycles to girls in 100 schools across three districts, and the results were promising. Overall absenteeism dropped by 29%, translating to an additional five school days per year for girls in the Southern Province, where the average primary school student missed 18 days annually. Girls in the schools who received the bicycles were 38% less likely to drop out of school compared to those in the schools who did not receive the bicycles. <h2>Pedalling towards a safer commute</h2>The impact of these bicycles extended beyond just improved attendance. The program also led to enhanced perceptions of safety among the girls. One year after the intervention, girls in the treatment group reported a 22% reduction in instances of being teased or harassed on their way to school. Additionally, the probability of girls missing school or leaving early due to safety concerns dropped by 39%. Post the success of this program, the United States Agency For International Development (USAID) awarded $3.5 million to fund bicycles for growth initiatives to increase access in rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, mainly Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia. Additionally, the Ministry of General Education (Zambia) scaled up the cycle program in several districts in Zambia. Simply put, the bicycles in Bihar and Zambia gave young girls the agency of making choices for themselves. While the immediate benefit of these programs was providing the means for women to travel to school, the long-term impact reveals significant shifts in attitudes among both the women involved and the communities around them! But did you know that the use of bicycles to provide women with this much-needed agency isn’t new and was actively instituted by women during the suffrage movement of the 19th century — a decades-long fight to win the right to vote for women in the United States? <h2>Corsets to cycles: The Suffrage movement &amp; bicycles</h2> <div type="image" title="A woman with a bicycle in early 1900s" msid="113057788" hostid="261"></div> In the late 19th century, during the American industrial revolution, a seemingly simple invention sparked a movement that would forever change women's lives — the bicycle. As the country experienced a ‘bicycle craze,’ the first wave of the women’s rights movement was gaining momentum. The bicycle quickly became more than just a mode of transportation; it became a powerful symbol of change and progress in the fight for women’s emancipation. In fact, the introduction of the bicycle revolutionised women’s fashion, breaking away from restrictive corsets and long skirts that had previously hindered their mobility. Instead, women began to adopt more practical, comfortable clothing that allowed them to cycle freely. The image of the ‘new woman’ emerged — educated, sporty, and career-oriented — with a bicycle as her constant companion. In 1895, at the age of 80, suffragist leader <keyword id="23037502" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="elizabeth-cady-stanton" source="keywords">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</keyword> predicted the power of the bicycle in transforming the lives of women. Having the ability to be self-reliant, often for the first time in their lives, would encourage them to be more courageous in other areas as well. While back then, their fight was for their right to vote in political elections, times have changed. Women have to fight different battles — some new and some old — to realise and utilise their potential. What has remained constant in this journey is the bicycle! Susan B. Anthony, another suffragist leader further opined, “Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel…the picture of free, untrammelled womanhood.” Had she known that several decades later, this simpleton mode of transport would continue to improve the lives of young women in remote parts of the Global South, she would’ve been happy to her heart's content! If something as mundane as access to mobility has historically brought such great results, what can be done to bring greater mobility for women in policy-making today? Professor Nishith Prakash suggests that mobility needs to be thought of in a broader context. Mobility in the case of women isn’t just freedom to be able to go from one place to another. There are multiple actors at play, including their actual safety and the perception of feeling safe in an environment. Cultural norms in most societies across the globe, and in India, automatically grant the power of key-decision making to men. For these archaic norms to be challenged, he suggests changes in curriculum from early childhood. Reiterating the importance of agency in making choices for themselves, there need to be jobs for them to want to step out of the confines of their homes. And once they do, nothing can stop them from cycling away to their freedoms!

SIMPLY PUT: Two Wheels, One Mission — Bicycles empowering girls in Bihar and Zambia, a call-back to 19th century Suffrage movement

In her <keyword id="19906106" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Interim-Budget" source="keywords">Interim Budget</keyword> speech in February 2024, <keyword id="20385790" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Union Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> celebrated what she termed as the Modi government's landmark achievement: unleashing 'nari shakti' or women's power through various initiatives since 2014. Among these, the creation of one crore 'Lakhpati Didis' — women whose annual household income exceeds one lakh rupees — under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), has garnered significant attention. <h2>The hype around it </h2>Imagine being a <keyword id="20416259" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lakhpati-Didi" source="keywords">Lakhpati Didi</keyword> — a rural woman whose annual household income exceeds Rs. 1 lakh. These women are not just financial achievers; they are community leaders who inspire others through their entrepreneurial journeys. Their success stories highlight the transformative impact of self-help groups (SHGs) and collective action in rural India. Launched amid much fanfare on August 15, 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself, the 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme aims to empower women through diverse skill development programs, from producing LED bulbs to operating agricultural drones. Partnering with entities like Patanjali, Flipkart, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the initiative also focuses on branding and marketing these products, ostensibly connecting women with credit lines and MUDRA loans for financial support. Almost an year on, the scheme is all set to get some well-deserved boost in the Budget 2024 to be presented on July 23. However, the time also apt to examine if it has actually contributed to <keyword id="20009191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="women-empowerment" source="keywords">women empowerment</keyword> in the country. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111915324" title="Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to table Economic Survey in Parliament today" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>The reality check </h2>Critics argue that such schemes may inadvertently tether women's SHGs to corporate networks, potentially benefiting transnational agribusiness giants aligned with the government. Programs like 'Namo Drone Didi', allocated Rs. 500 crore in the Interim Budget, exemplify this trend by integrating women into digital agriculture, albeit under the influence of corporate agendas. Further, while the Interim Budget championed the narrative of women's economic prosperity, it failed to adequately address their basic needs. Despite claims of empowerment, essential schemes such as PM Awas Yojana (Rural) and Har Ghar Jal have seen significant budgetary underspending, raising concerns about the government's commitment to women's welfare beyond mere rhetoric. For instance, the underutilisation of funds in Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and the shrinking allocations for crucial subsidies like nutrition and education further highlight the disconnect between budgetary outlays and on-ground impact. This trend suggests a shift in responsibility towards state governments without commensurate support from the Union government, leaving vulnerable populations like widows and rural women at risk. Overall, the well-intentioned narrative around the scheme needs better translation and execution on ground to achieve desired outcomes. <h2>Looking ahead </h2>Until now, the budgetary allocation for women-centric programs have remained disproportionately low, with the Ministry of Women and Child Development having been allocated Rs 26,000 crore in 2024-25, an increase of 2.52% compared to the previous budget. This paltry investment underscores a broader pattern of neglecting systemic issues such as gender-based violence, social discrimination and pro-corporate stance. As Budget 2024 approaches, stakeholders eagerly anticipate policies that not only boost economic growth but also empower rural women as entrepreneurs and leaders. While Lakhpati Didi stands poised to empower rural women with opportunities and support, more steps are needed to make it more sustainable. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111689743" title="Union Budget 2024: A handy FAQ guide to decode the upcoming budget" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Budget 2024: Can Lakhpati Didi Yojana’s reality inspire better focus on women?

Most of us think of India as a young country. And as home to one-fifth of the world's young population and with an average age of 29, you're right. But did you know India's elderly population is set to double from its present 153 million to a staggering 347 million, in just 30 years? Moreover, by the end of this century, the population of <keyword id="19894991" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="senior-citizens" source="keywords">senior citizens</keyword> in India will surpass the population of those aged under 14, as per a report by the United Nations Population Fund and the International Institute for Population Sciences. As such, with <keyword id="19955368" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Budget-2024" source="keywords">budget 2024</keyword> looming on the horizon, what is it that this burgeoning section of our population wants? We take a look : <h2>Wish 1: Raise deduction threshold for <keyword id="22285655" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mediclaim-premium" source="keywords">mediclaim premium</keyword></h2>At present, senior citizens (aged 60 and above) and super senior citizens (aged 80 and above) can claim a deduction of up to Rs 50,000 on health insurance premiums they pay during the year. For those aged below 60, the annual deduction limit is of Rs 25,000. But, as Tarun Mathur, CBO, Policybazaar.com notes, "There’s a need for an increase in the tax deduction limit for health insurance premiums, to raise the same to Rs 50,000 for individuals, their spouses, and dependent children, and to Rs 1 lakh for senior citizen parents". With insurance regulator <keyword id="6361421" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IRDA" source="Orion">IRDA</keyword> removing the age cap (which was previously 65 years) for buying new insurance policies, health insurance for senior citizens becomes far more accessible. Given that only 20% of India's population aged 60 have any kind of health insurance, a comprehensive insurance coverage with low tax liabilities becomes a necessity for our senior citizens. At present, the government is mulling extending the <keyword id="22285657" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ayushman-Bharat-Pradhan-Yojana" source="Orion">Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Yojana</keyword> to provide crucial, free healthcare support for India's senior citizens aged above 70. But only time, and July 22nd will tell. <h2>Wish 2: Offer similar tax benefits to pension products as NPS </h2>NPS, or <keyword id="475509" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Pension-System" source="Orion">National Pension System</keyword> is a lucrative retirement planning scheme. And it comes with many tax benefits. For instance, if you withdraw up to 60% of your accumulated pension as lumpsum once you turn 60, your withdrawal is tax free. Similarly, if any amount you receive from NPS is reinvested in the annuity plan, it remains tax exempt. However, income from annuities is taxed as per your regular income tax slab. And any early withdrawals that you make (before 60 years) will attract taxes. A standard deduction of Rs 50,000, or amount of annuity income (whichever is lower) can be claimed. But under regular annuities or pension products, senior citizens pay a 10% tax on total taxable income over Rs. 3 lakhs , Rs 20,000 + 20% over amount exceeding Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 1.2 lakh+ 30% on amount exceeding Rs 10 lakh. As Mathur notes, "Pension products like annuity plans should be given the same tax benefits as NPS, since the current taxation does not encourage investment in retirement planning. It’s also necessary to expand Section 80C deductions and add a dedicated category for term insurance because the existing limit of Rs. 1,50,000 is insufficient". Even retirement planner Sanjeev Dawar notes that income from annuities is a primary source of income for retirees. "As such, tax relief is expected since returns, although assured for life, are relatively low. Moreover, they remain fixed and have no sensitivity to inflation". Additionally, Dawar also advocates for special financial considerations for eligible individuals who are compelled to stay in old-age homes in their twilight years. It is also needed that travel concessions, that have been withdrawn, are restarted". <h2>Wish 3: Lowering lock-in periods for elderly </h2>Many schemes like national savings certificate (NSC), unit-linked insurance plans (ULIP) and senior citizen savings scheme (SCSS) are subject to tax deductions, provided they are redeemed after their specific <keyword id="20792448" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lock-in-period" source="keywords">lock-in period</keyword>. For instance, tax-saver FDs, ULIPs and NSC have a lock-in period of 5 years, while equity-linked savings scheme (ELSS) have a lock-in period of 3 years. It would help senior citizens if this lock-in period is reduced, so that they have some liquidity and cash handy during medical or other such emergencies. Additionally, withdrawals should be allowed within lock-in period sans hefty penalties, as is the case right now. <h2>Wish 4: Lowering GST on health insurance premiums </h2>Currently, GST on health insurance premium is payable at 18%, which can translate into a hefty levy, especially since senior citizens end up paying significantly higher premiums to get insurance coverage. For a premium of Rs 30,000, the GST could go as high as Rs 5,400. As per Prasun Sikdar, MD &amp; CEO, Manipal Cigna Health Insurance, "lowering the GST burden on the health insurance premiums will be a huge respite for missing middle and senior citizens to get access to quality healthcare they need and help to significantly boost insurance penetration across India by driving affordability.” <h2> Wish 5: Reduce tax on <keyword id="21695681" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="passive-income" source="keywords">passive income</keyword> sources for aged</h2>For most senior citizens, rental income from house, pension and other such passive sources turn into a major income avenue, once they retire from active employment. As such, these should be taxed at a lower slab, and not considered as regular salary. Or else, higher exemption limits should be introduced to allow them to save more. At present, the basic exemption limit for senior citizens between 60-80 years is Rs 3 lakh, while the exemption limit for citizens above 80 years is Rs 5 lakhs. The limits should be revised, keeping in mind how expensive medical care is in current times.

Budget 2024: Here's what India's elderlies want

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New Delhi [India], May 20 (ANI): A recent Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) Australia survey has revealed an overwhelming optimism among <keyword id="21735155" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-small-businesses" source="keywords">Indian small businesses</keyword>, with 84 per cent anticipating continued growth in 2024, significantly surpassing the market average of 70 per cent. Despite global <keyword id="20413867" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-uncertainties" source="keywords">economic uncertainties</keyword>, 80 per cent of Indian respondents remain confident about the local economy's prospects for 2024, well above the survey average of 65 per cent. This buoyant outlook has been on an upward trajectory since 2022, highlighting the resilience and dynamism of India's small business sector. <keyword id="21735156" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CPA-Australia-survey" source="keywords">CPA Australia survey</keyword> showed a rise in the growth rate of Indian <keyword id="390673" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="small-businesses" source="Orion">small businesses</keyword> from 73 per cent in 2022 to 77 per cent in 2023--the highest since 2019. Indian small businesses are riding a wave of optimism and growth, according to <keyword id="21735157" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CPA-Australia" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="CPA Australia" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="CPA Australia">CPA Australia</keyword>'s latest annual Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey. The survey reveals that over three-quarters of Indian small businesses reported growth in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and making India's small business sector one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing in the Asia-Pacific region. Prafulla Chhajed, a CPA member of CPA Australia in India, emphasized the critical role of Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (<keyword id="19910977" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MSMEs" source="keywords">MSMEs</keyword>) in driving India's economic success. Chhajed said, "Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) are making a significant contribution to India's economic success. Not only is India's rapid economic growth and improving business environment boosting their confidence, support from the government ranging from digitalisation to access to funds, is assisting businesses to recover from the pandemic." He further said, "India's small businesses are enthusiastically improving their performance through innovation, adopting technologies, and building connections with overseas markets. 'Good staff' was nominated as the top positive factor that benefited India small business performance in 2023. It explains why Indian respondents have been so willing to add new employees over the past two years". "This year the pace in jobs creation by small businesses is expected to slow, although remain high in comparison to other markets. This is most likely due to a combination of factors including increasing levels of automation and rising labour costs," he added. However, Chhajed cautioned that the pace of job creation might slow down due to rising automation and labor costs, though it will still remain high compared to other markets. The survey highlighted several challenges faced by Indian small businesses, including increasing costs, competition, and cashflow difficulties. Staff and material costs were particularly detrimental in 2023, rising slightly from the previous year. To cope with these expenses and support growth, 68 per cent of small businesses sought external funding last year, though this figure dropped 20 percentage points from 2022. This year, 81 per cent plan to seek finance, despite tougher financing conditions. Only 42 per cent of respondents found it easy to secure funds in 2023, a sharp decline from 69 per cent in 2022. This trend is expected to continue, with just 43 per cent anticipating ease in accessing funds this year, down from 64 per cent previously. "Difficulty in accessing finance is a common challenge for small businesses worldwide. Though government loans like <keyword id="20151906" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pradhan-mantri-mudra-yojana" source="keywords">Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana</keyword> (PMMY) helps to foster entrepreneurship by offering financial support, MSMEs should not solely rely on borrowing to fund their long-term development, particularly in a high-interest rate environment", Chhajed explained. A significant number of Indian small businesses focused on managing costs and cash flow last year. Among the technologies they invested in, accounting software was particularly popular, with 23 per cent adoption. Professional advice was also sought frequently, with 34 per cent consulting accountants and 38 per cent seeking advice from friends and family. "Indian MSMEs are very competitive in many areas such as digitalisation and innovation, now they should focus on cost management and cashflow to increase their financial return. It's wise to use accounting software to control cost and analyse financial performance regularly. Further, financial experts like qualified accountants may provide professional advice to small businesses to manage technical issues like taxation and improve financial performance", Chhajed suggested. Indian small businesses also show a strong inclination towards innovation and global expansion. Leading the 11 surveyed markets, 34 per cent of respondents expect substantial revenue growth from overseas markets this year, significantly higher than the survey average of 19 per cent. Additionally, 44 per cent plan to introduce new products or services, compared to the market average of 29 per cent. Chhajed said, "The Indian government has established good platforms to bolster our MSMEs' global expansion, for example, international trade fairs for MSMEs. He added, "They could leverage these opportunities to connect with overseas customers and promote their novel products globally. Besides, our thriving digital economy also fosters MSMEs' innovation and revolution in the digital era." The survey gathered insights from 4,222 small businesses across 11 Asia-Pacific markets, including 505 respondents from India, providing a comprehensive overview of the region's small business landscape. (ANI)

84% of Indian small businesses anticipate robust growth in 2024: CPA Australia survey

<keyword id="19900881" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi" source="keywords">Delhi</keyword>'s finance minister Atishi presented the FY25 budget in the state assembly on Monday with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore, announcing the 'Mukhyamamantri Mahila <keyword id="20820458" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="samman-yojana" source="keywords">Samman Yojana</keyword>' under which women aged 18 and above will get Rs 1,000 per month, and asserted the government is inspired by the ideals of <keyword id="20017410" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ram-rajya" source="keywords">Ram Rajya</keyword>. In the budget tabled in the state assembly ahead of the general elections, she also announced that the Business Blasters scheme, which was till now being implemented in schools, will now be implemented in universities and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). Last year, the government had allocated Rs 78,800 crore for the financial year 2023-24 and announced nine schemes as part of the G20 preparations. The Delhi government's budget size for 2022-23 was Rs 75,800 crore and Rs 69,000 crore in the preceding year. This was the first time that Atishi presented the budget after taking charge of the finance department last year. In her budget speech, she remembered Manish Sisodia, former education minister, and <keyword id="20115511" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="satyendar-jain" source="keywords">Satyendar Jain</keyword>, former health minister, for their roles in shaping the education and health models in the national capital. "This is a moment of pride that the Kejriwal government is presenting its tenth budget today. I am not just presenting the tenth budget but a picture of changing Delhi. Kejriwal came as a ray of hope. We are all inspired by Ram Rajya. We are working hard towards realising the dream of Ram Rajya," she said. She proposed an allocation of Rs 16,396 crore for the education sector and highlighted the achievements of the AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) government in the field. Under the education budget, Rs 100 crore has been allocated to the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) for training teachers, and another Rs 150 crore has been proposed for the construction of new schools and classrooms. She proposed Rs 45 crore for the maintenance of existing classrooms and Rs 42 crore for Schools of Specialised Excellence in the 2024-25 fiscal. The minister announced an allocation of Rs 118 crore for sports education, Rs 1,212 crore for higher education and technical education and Rs 15 crore for "Business Blasters Senior". "The Kejriwal government will implement Business Blaster scheme in its universities and Industrial Training Institutes through Rs 15 crore allocation in budget," she added. The government announced a budget of Rs 8,685 crore for the health sector with Rs 6,215 crore being proposed for hospitals to maintain good facilities. "Under the Delhi government, there are 38 hospitals where treatment is provided free of cost to more than 81,000 OPD patients daily and 65,806 IPD patients monthly," she said. OPD stands for out-patient department, while in-patients department is referred as IPD. There are 530 Mohalla Clinics in Delhi currently, where every day, 64,000 people receive free medicines, tests, and treatment. So far, Mohalla Clinics have conducted more than seven crore OPD visits, she said. 'Farishtey Dilli Ke' scheme has saved the lives of 22,000 people, she shared. The minister announced a budget outlay of Rs 6,216 crore for various schemes under the Social Welfare Department, Women and Child Development Department and SC/ST/OBC Welfare Department. The government announced an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore for the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman <keyword id="19955331" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="yojana" source="keywords">Yojana</keyword>' for the welfare and empowerment of women from 2024-25. Under this scheme, woman above 18 years of age will get Rs 1,000 per month, she said. For a woman to become eligible under the scheme, she should be a Delhi voter, should not be availing benefits under any other government scheme and should not be an income taxpayer, she said. According to the final electoral roll of Delhi published in January this year, there are 67,30,371 female voters in the national capital. Atishi announced an allocation of Rs 664 crore for all nutrition-related schemes. In 2014-15, the budget for law and justice was Rs 760 crore, she said. "I am delighted to share that by 2024-25, it has increased by nearly four-fold to reach Rs 3,098 crore," she said. The minister announced that in 2024-25, the Delhi government will begin the construction of four court complexes in Rohini, Karkardooma, Shastri Park, and Rouse Avenue. "These will include courtrooms, lawyer chambers, libraries, and modern facilities, totalling 250 new courtrooms. The number of people receiving free legal services through the Delhi State Legal Services Authority was 33,000 in 2016. Last year, this figure increased nearly four-fold, reaching 1.25 lakh," she shared. The finance minister announced an allocation of Rs 902 crore for unauthorised colonies. Talking about the transport sector, she said that Delhi will have over 10,000 buses in its fleet, including 80 per cent electric buses. She announced Rs 7,195 crore for the Delhi Jal Board, Rs 510 crore for induction of electric buses in DTC and cluster buses fleet and Rs 500 crore for Delhi Metro. 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Delhi govt presents FY25 budget with ₹76,000 crore outlay; to give ₹1,000 per month to every woman

New Delhi, In a strong rebuttal to Congress charges, Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> on Tuesday said <keyword id="20233623" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="atal-pension-yojana" source="keywords">Atal Pension Yojana</keyword> (APY) is designed based on the best practice choice architecture and guarantees a minimum of 8 per cent return. "Atal Pension Yojana is designed based on best practice choice architecture to automatically continue the premium payment unless the subscriber opts out. This is a deliberate and beneficial feature which is in the best interest of the subscribers," <keyword id="19916494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sitharaman" source="keywords">Sitharaman</keyword> said in post on X. Instead of requiring people to decide each year to continue, they have to take a decision to discontinue, she said, adding, this makes many of them take the right decision and save for their retirement. Earlier in the day, the Congress attacked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the Atal Pension Yojana, alleging it is a "very poorly-designed scheme" and a "paper tiger" that needs officials to hoodwink and coerce people into participating in it. Congress general secretary <keyword id="20035989" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="jairam-ramesh" source="keywords">Jairam Ramesh</keyword> said the scheme is a "fitting representation of the Modi government's policy making: headline management, with few benefits actually reaching the people". His attack came after a media report claimed that at least one of three subscribers who dropped out of the central government's pension scheme for the unorganised sector, the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), did so because their accounts were opened without their "explicit" permission. The report cited a recent sample study by the <keyword id="20608253" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-council-of-social-science-research" source="keywords">Indian Council of Social Science Research</keyword> (ICSSR). Attacking Ramesh, Sitharaman said he did not bothered to check facts on the guaranteed pension scheme. "The minimum return under the APY is guaranteed by the GoI to be at least 8 per cent, regardless of prevailing interest rates and returns. This is an attractive guaranteed minimum return. GoI pays a subsidy to PFRDA to make up for any shortfall in actual returns," she said. If higher investment returns are received on the contributions of subscribers of APY, higher pension would be paid to the subscribers: In fact, currently the returns are more than 8 per cent, she said. "@Jairam_Ramesh says that people are being 'hoodwinked and coerced' into participating! Hoodwinking is what @INCIndia does always - in the name of vote bank politics or minority appeasement. Coercion is what was used to make former Chairman of @TheOfficialSBI Shri RK Talwar resign because he refused to give loans to favourites of the dynasty," she said. As regards the majority of pension accounts being in the lower slabs, for a subsidised scheme intended for the poor and lower middle class, this is obvious, she said. In fact, it shows the proper targeting of the scheme, she said, adding, if the offtake was at the higher end, that would be surprising! The elitist mindset of the dynasty and its minions who are constantly thinking of people in the higher echelons of society, perhaps, blinds them to this obvious truth. The @INCIndia prefers that poor should not have pensions so that they are forced to rely on government hand-outs which keeps them dependant on dynasty politicians, the minister said.

Atal Pension Yojana guarantees minimum 8% return: Sitharaman rebuts Cong charges

New Delhi, To bring down the debt burden, the government has taken various measures like increasing the tax revenue buoyancy, enhancing the public expenditure effectiveness, commitment to reducing fiscal deficit and augmenting the productive efficiency, Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> said on Monday. In addition to strengthening the financial system, the government has more than doubled its effective capital expenditure from Rs 6.57 lakh crore in 2020-21 to Rs 13.71 lakh crore and Rs 14.97 lakh crore in 2023-24 (BE) and 2024-25 (BE), respectively, to crowd in private investments, she said in the <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword>. The government's emphasis on increasing capital expenditure will not only boost the investments, but also return a higher GDP growth to lower the debt burden, she said. Simultaneously, she said, the state governments have been incentivised to increase their capital spending through measures like 50-year interest-free capex loans and front-loading of tax devolution instalments. Various other measures like reduction of the corporate tax rate, liberalisation of foreign direct investment, and enhancement of ease of doing business have created supportive conditions for sustained growth in private investment, she said. As a result, the overall investment rate in the economy consolidated at 29.2 per cent of GDP in 2022-23 and further improved to 29.8 per cent in 2023-24 as per the advance estimates by NSO, she said. Impacted by COVID-19, the debt to GDP ratio increased to 89.6 per cent at the end of the pandemic year 2020-21. After a sharp rise in government debt in 2020-21 on account of the revenue shortfall and additional spending requirements due to the pandemic, the general government debt relative to GDP has gradually declined over the last two years to reach around 81 per cent at the end of March 2023 (provisional), she said. Buoyant revenue collection, rebalancing of spending from revenue to capital expenditure and robust real GDP growth in the post-pandemic years have led to a decline in the government debt relative to GDP, she added. Replying to another question, <keyword id="19916494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sitharaman" source="keywords">Sitharaman</keyword> said more than 46.15 crore loans amounting to Rs 27.38 lakh crore have been sanctioned to the borrowers under the <keyword id="19959985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pradhan-mantri" source="keywords">Pradhan Mantri</keyword> Mudra Yojana (PMYY) as of January 26, 2024. Complaints with regard to the implementation of PMMY are redressed in consultation with respective banks. The complaints received at the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) are also being taken up with respective banks for redressal within the prescribed timelines, she said. Pradhan Mantri Jan <keyword id="20000588" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dhan-yojana" source="keywords">Dhan Yojana</keyword> (PMJDY) has been successful in increasing banking penetration to promote financial inclusion across the country, she said in a separate reply. A total of 51.61 crore Jan-Dhan accounts with a deposit balance of Rs 2,17,218 crore have been opened as of January 17, 2024, under PMJDY, the minister said. Of the total, 28.60 crore (55.5 per cent) Jan-Dhan accounts belong to women, and about 34.41 crore (66.8 per cent) PMJDY accounts have been opened in rural and semi-urban areas.

Various measures taken to reduce debt burden, strengthen economy: FM

New Delhi, Construction of two crore more houses will be done under the Pradhan Mantri Awas <keyword id="19955331" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="yojana" source="keywords">Yojana</keyword> (<keyword id="20414289" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gramin" source="keywords">Gramin</keyword>) in the next five years, <keyword id="19955404" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="finance" source="keywords">Finance</keyword> Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> said on Thursday. Presenting a vote on account or an interim budget for 2024-25, she said the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) continued despite the COVID-19 pandemic, and the target of constructing three crore rural houses will be met soon. "Despite the challenges due to COVID-19, the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) continued, and we are close to achieving the target of three crore houses," <keyword id="19916494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sitharaman" source="keywords">Sitharaman</keyword> said. "Two crore more houses will be taken up in the next five years to meet the requirement arising from the increase in the number of families" she said in her pre-election budget . The PMAY(G) is a social welfare programme to provide housing for the rural poor in the country. Under the scheme, an assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh is given in plain areas and Rs 1.30 lakh in hilly areas. The cost of the scheme is borne by the central government and a state government in a 60:40 ratio.

2 crore more houses to be constructed under PMAY(G) in next 5 years: FM

Wooing the middle class ahead of the general elections, Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> on Thursday announced a scheme to help those living in rented accommodations or slums to acquire a house. Parallely, she also announced building 2 crore more houses for the rural poor in the next five years under the continuing <keyword id="3905678" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM-Awas-Yojana" source="Orion">PM Awas Yojana</keyword> (Grameen). Presenting a vote on account for 2024-25, also known as interim budget for the period till the new government comes into office after general elections, she said the Modi government in the last 10 years has endeavoured to provide each a house, water, electricity, cooking gas and bank account as part of the inclusive development. "Our government will launch a scheme to help deserving sections of the middle class 'living in rented houses, or slums, or chawls and unauthorized colonies' to buy or build their own houses," she said. The finance minister highlighted that the implementation of the PM Awas Yojana (Grameen) continued despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Despite the challenges due to COVID, implementation of PM Awas Yojana (Grameen) continued and we are close to achieving the target of three crore houses. Two crore more houses will be taken up in the next five years to meet the requirement arising from increase in the number of families," she said. In order to achieve the target of 'Housing for All' in rural areas, the <keyword id="19910940" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-rural-development" source="keywords">Ministry of Rural Development</keyword> is implementing Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) with effect from 1st April 2016 to provide assistance to eligible rural households. The overall target is to construct 2.95 crore pucca houses with basic amenities by March 2024. The central assistance under PMAY-G is released directly to the State/UT considering the State/UT as a unit. Further release of these funds to beneficiaries in various Districts/Blocks/GPs is done by the respective State Government/UT Administration. "The amount of Central Share of funds released to the States/UTs for construction of houses under PMAY-G during the last five years, which is from the financial year 2018-19 to 2022-23 was around Rs 1,60,853.38 crore," according to an official statement in December.

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