Sitharaman declared that the government's top priority is to ensure development that is comprehensive, pervasive, and inclusive, covering people of all castes and from all walks of life. She articulated the vision to make India a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, underscoring the importance of enhancing people's capabilities and empowering them for this ambitious goal.
Identifying the "four major castes" as garib (the p
oor), mahilayen (women), yuva (the youth), and annadata (the farmer), Sitharaman emphasized that their needs, aspirations, and welfare take precedence. She asserted that the progress of the country is intricately linked to the progress of these four segments of society, and the government is committed to providing support for their betterment.
Sitharaman remarked that, for the present government, social justice is not merely a political slogan but an effective and necessary governance model. She highlighted the government's approach of adopting a saturation model, ensuring coverage for all eligible individuals, as a true and comprehensive achievement of social justice. This approach, according to the Finance Minister, embodies secularism in action, reducing corruption, preventing nepotism, and ensuring transparency in benefit delivery.
The Finance Minister emphasized that the government is now distributing resources fairly, ensuring that everyone, regardless of social standing, has access to opportunities. The focus is on addressing systemic inequalities that have plagued society, with an emphasis on outcomes rather than outlays to achieve socio-economic transformation.
This pre-election budget underscores the government's commitment to inclusive development and social justice, with a vision to propel the nation forward by prioritizing the well-being of the marginalized and vulnerable sections of society.