At a time when education and health care are considered priorities for post-pandemic recovery, the Union Budget sets the right tone in terms of a few long-term, forward-looking plans, but has crucial misses in terms of improving existing schemes, and basic on-ground infrastructure and access
In her Union Budget speech on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a few provisions related to health care, education and skilling under a priority titled ‘Inclusive Development’. This included provisions targeted at skilling, research and increase in manpower, like establishment of nursing colleges, multidisciplinary courses for medical devices, national digital library for children and adolescents, and new programme to promote research and innovation in pharmaceuticals through centres of excellence (more in the box ‘Announcements’).