Budget 2013: Chidambaram announces measures for women, child & tribal welfare

NEW DELHI: Finance Minister P Chidambaram in his budget 2013 speech announced measures for women, child and tribal welfare. Chidambaram voiced his intention of allocating Rs 17700 crore for child and women welfare.

He also said that the allocation to health and family welfare ministries will be increased. "Single women and widows must live with dignity, WCD has been asked to design schemes," Chidambaram said.

Chidambaram said that Rs 65867 crore will be allocated to the education ministry, which is 17% higher than the last year. Rs 13215 crore for mid day meal scheme will be given.

For tribal welfare the Finance Minister will give more than Rs 25000 crore in the coming financial year.

Presenting his eighth Union Budget, Finance Minister P Chidambaram in his budget 2013 speech gave emphasis to the need for 'inclusive growth'. The budget will focus on higher growth and financial inclusion, he said.

"Many people will be left behind if we do not pay attention to growth," he said. Chidambaram said that any growth should also be sustainable.

Chidambaram acknowledged that the room for a fiscal stimulus is constrained and that deficit levels are high.