Try GOLD - Free
At the cost of welfare
Down To Earth
|February 16, 2024
The Interim Budget 2024-25 took a cautious approach to reduce fiscal deficit. This prioritisation led to inadequate allocations for key sectors

BEING THE final Union Budget before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, there was a lot of expectation surrounding the 2024-25 Interim Budget. However, its cautious approach has left a sense of uncertainty about what lies ahead. There was a clear emphasis on fiscal consolidation, aiming to contain the deficit at 5.8 per cent for the current year and projecting a further reduction to 5.1 per cent in the upcoming fiscal year. This prioritisation led to inadequate allocations for key sectors and social welfare programmes.
This story is from the February 16, 2024 edition of Down To Earth.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Down To Earth
Down To Earth
Rich pickings from orphan drugs
Big Pharma is raking in billions from orphan drugs while India's policies on rare diseases is way behind in protecting patients
4 mins
September 01, 2025

Down To Earth
POD TO PLATE
Lotus seeds are not only tasty, but also a healthy and versatile ingredient to add to diet
3 mins
September 01, 2025
Down To Earth
'We are on mission-driven approach to climate challenges'
Tamil Nadu is tackling its environmental, climate and biodiversity challenges with a series of new initiatives, including the launch of a climate company.
3 mins
September 01, 2025
Down To Earth
NEED NOT BE A DIRTY AFFAIR
The potential to reduce emissions from India's coal-based thermal power plants is huge, and it needs more than just shifting to efficient technologies.
14 mins
September 01, 2025
Down To Earth
Of power, pleasure and the past
CONCISE, ACCESSIBLE HISTORIES OF INDIVIDUAL FOODS AND DRINKS THAT HAVE SHAPED HUMAN EXPERIENCE ACROSS CENTURIES
3 mins
September 01, 2025

Down To Earth
Promise in pieces
Global Talks collapse as consensus rule blocks progress on ending plastic pollution
4 mins
September 01, 2025
Down To Earth
ROAD TO NOWHERE
WHILE OTHER NATIONS LIMIT WILDLIFE NUMBERS IF COSTS OUTWEIGH BENEFITS, INDIA BEARS THE EXPENSES WITHOUT THINKING OF THE GAINS
7 mins
September 01, 2025

Down To Earth
Disaster zone
With an extreme weather event on almost every day this year, the Himalayas show the cost of ignoring science and warnings
5 mins
September 01, 2025

Down To Earth
Power paradox
In drought-prone districts of Karnataka, solar parks promise prosperity but deliver displacement, exposing the fault lines of India's renewable energy transition
5 mins
September 01, 2025
Down To Earth
Are we beyond laws of evolution?
WE AS a society are disconnecting from nature. This is a truism for the human species. But how disconnected are we from nature, from where we evolved? On the face of it, this sounds like a philosophical question. Still, if one gets to measure this, which tool to use? Miles Richardson, a professor engaged in nature connectedness studies at the School of Psychology, University of Derby, UK, has published a study that attempts to measure this widening connection between humans and nature. His finding says that human connection to nature has declined 60 per cent since 1800.
2 mins
September 01, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size