Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting her eighth consecutive budget in the Parliament. In her opening remarks, she said the government will realise the ‘sab ka vikas’ goal by stimulating balanced growth for all regions. She also announced a host of schemes for Bihar, which will go to polls later this year.

“Our economy is the fastest growing among all major economies. Our development track record for the past 10 years and structural reforms have drawn global attention. Confidence in India’s capability and potential has only grown in this period. We see the next 5 years as a unique opportunity to realise sabka vikas, stimulating balanced growth of all regions” she said.

Here are the key highlights of the Budget speech.

1. We will establish a National Institute of Food Technology in Bihar, which will boost food processing in eastern India. It will generate employment for the youth.
2. A Makhana Board will be established in the state to improve the production, processing, value addition and marketing of Makhana. The people engaged in these activities will be organised into FPOs. The Board will provide hand-holding and training support to Makhana farmers and will also work to ensure they receive the benefits of all relevant government schemes.
3. The Central government to enhance the limit for interest subvention scheme for Kisan Credit Card from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
4. PM Dhan Dhany Krisihi Yojna will cover 100 districts with low productivity. It will enhance agricultural productivity and augment storage at the panchayat level. This programme will cover 1.7 crore farmers. It will be launched with states and aims to create ample opportunities.
5. The government will launch a six-year program to achieve self-reliance in pulses, focusing on tur, urad, and masoor dals.
6. Fund of funds for startups to be set up with ₹10,000 crore contribution from the government.
7. The government will introduce customised credit cards with a ₹5 lakh limit for micro-enterprises.