It’s done! The most awaited budget of the Modi Government has finally been declared, and yes…it has a special something for the Women and the Girl Child of the country.

In the past year, India has witnessed some of the most gruesome crimes against women and young girls. The Badau case and the Damini Gangrape Case are just a few to remember! But, to fight and prevent such horrifying crime against women, the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced his maiden Budget which includes certain highlighted schemes for Women empowerment and Girl Child.

Women Safety in public transport

A 50 crore pilot scheme has been specially allocated under the Road Transport Ministry for the safety of women on the roads. Another 150 crore has been allocated on a scheme meant to enhance safety for women on the roads of all cities. Adding to this, the finance minister stated, “The Road Transport Ministry will ensure that the amount is used to make public transport safer for women.”

Girl child Education

A new project, “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana” has also been initiated. A total of 100 crore has been allocated for it. This scheme is very close to the heart of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and will work towards educating and protecting the girl child in the country; after all it is the girl child who will carve and build the future of India.

In the budget, Arun Jaitley further mentioned that new additional schemes will be added slowly for the purpose of sensitizing people towards the safety of the Girl child. He also stated that a new chapter on Gender Mainstreaming will also be introduced in the school curriculums, across the country soon.

Women Crisis Management Centre

For women staying in the Capital city of Delhi, also newly named as the most Unsafe city for women, a new Crisis Management Centre will be initiated. However, no separate funds have been allocated for it. The money for the project will be used from the Nirbhaya Fund, announced last year by the NCP in association with a few NGOs working for women safety issues, after the December 16, 2012 gangrape case. The project was then allocated 1000 crore for the purpose of ensuring women safety in the capital.

National Savings Certificate

The finance minister further announced the initiation of a new National Savings Certificate with an insurance cover including of several additional benefits for all small savers.

He further announced that a small savings instrument will soon be launched for the purpose of catering to the requirements of girl child education and marriage.

With these concrete measures taken, it is now time to wait and see how these aspects are followed, and whether the India really become safer for Women.

Image Source: Huffpost.com