National Cooperation Policy on anvil, announces FM Sitharaman in Budget 2024 speech

The government will bring a National Cooperation Policy for the overall development of the country, Finance Minister Nirmamala Sitharaman said on Tuesday.

Presenting the Budget for 2024-25, she said the Centre will promote digital public infrastructure for agriculture in partnership with states, while Jan Samarth-based Kisan Credit Card will be introduced in five states.

Besides, the government will strengthen production, storage and marketing of pulses, while fast-track growth of rural economy and creation of employment opportunities will be the policy goal, she said.

Apart from the national Cooperation Policy, she said, "Turning attention to the full year and beyond, in this budget, we particularly focus on employment, skilling, MSMEs, and the middle class. I am happy to announce the Prime Minister’s package of 5 schemes and initiatives to facilitate employment, skilling and other opportunities for 4.1 crore youth over a 5-year period with a central outlay of Rs. 2 lakh crore."

In her Union Budget 2024 speech, she also mentioned that the BJP-led NDA government will implement three schemes for employment-linked incentives as part of the Prime Minister's package.

Also, the government will provide finance for shrimp farming and marketing, she added.