"Population Foundation of India criticizes Union Budget 2024-25 for inadequate focus on health, nutrition, education, and empowerment of women and youth." The Daily Eye #Newsdesk reports…

Health and Nutrition Overlooked in Budget 2024-25

The Population Foundation of India expressed disappointment with the Union Budget 2024-25, highlighting a lack of adequate investment in key areas such as health, nutrition, education, and social empowerment. These sectors are vital for the demographic groups identified by the government as GYAN—Garib (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers), and Nari (women). The absence of health from the government's top priorities, as outlined by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, was particularly unexpected.

Economic Empowerment But Health Neglected

Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India, pointed out that while the government has shown a commitment to economic empowerment, it has not matched this with investments in health and social well-being. The Economic Survey 2024-25 emphasizes the need for creating nearly 78.5 lakh jobs annually in the non-farm sector by 2030. Reflecting this, the budget includes a ₹2 lakh crore package for employment and skilling, and ₹1.48 lakh crore for education, employment, and skilling initiatives. However, these efforts focus more on incentives than direct job creation, a critical oversight.

The Population Foundation of India noted that the budget failed to address the poor nutritional outcomes highlighted in the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS). The inadequate focus on nutrition and healthcare infrastructure compromises the potential of India's workforce, particularly among young people.

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Healthcare Sector Still Underfunded

The healthcare sector continues to be underfunded, with only a slight increase in the budget for the Department of Health and Family Welfare and the National Health Mission. The allocation for Family Welfare Schemes, which includes the procurement of contraceptive supplies and ASHA payments, saw an increase, but concerns remain about its sufficiency given new contraceptive introductions.

Inadequate Support for Women and Elderly

While the budget provides ₹3 lakh crore for schemes supporting women and girls, including working women's hostels and creches, it lacks targeted initiatives for women's health and well-being. Additionally, the growing elderly population and its associated needs were largely ignored.

Poonam Muttreja emphasized the importance of comprehensive support for women, which should include access to healthcare, sexual and reproductive health services, nutrition, and social security. She concluded that leveraging India's demographic advantage requires holistic investments in these areas to ensure the well-being and productivity of the population.

For more detailed information and related data, visit the Population Foundation of India, the Union Budget Portal, the Economic Survey 2024-25, and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS).