Union Budget 2020-21: "Budget Clearly Shows Women Health is Govt. Priority": Harjinder Kaur Talwar

Harjinder Kaur Talwar,President, FICCI Ladies Organisation; CEO and MD Commvision India Pvt Ltd spoke to Healthwire on women's healthcare aspect of Union Budget 2020-21 presented today by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

"The budget is a very good step by the government to infuse the demand in the market and more money has been given at every level, the Minister has clearly said. The budget is for all sectors, the grassroot, middle class, the top industries. So I would rate it 8 out of 10."

Speaking on the Rs. 28,600 cr allocated for women specific programmes/schemes, she said, "It is very good initiative for women. It cleary shows that the women health sector is a priority for the government."

"The Finance Minister also said that marriagable age should be increased and a task force should be set up for that. I think this is a very good step," she said, praising other announcements for women welfare.

"Another thing which I appreciate is that 5 lakh Aanganbadi workers have been given smartphones on which the government has uploaded facts regarding nutrition. All health sector initiatives affect a woman directly or indirectly," she added.

"Another good thing happened was the talk about taking healthcare to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities which will again benefit the women."