New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party MP and actor Kangana Ranaut on Tuesday hailed the Union Budget 2024 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and called it "wholesome".
Kangana, who is an MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, also referred to the announcement regarding flood relief for the state.
"We are very happy with the budget...," she said. She also took to Instagram and shared a picture with BJP MPs Bansuri Swaraj and Ravi Kishan.
"Wholesome budget Parliament budget session," she captioned the post.
In her budget speech in Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said Himachal Pradesh suffered extensive losses due to floods last year.
"Our government will provide assistance to the state for reconstruction and rehabilitation through multilateral development assistance," the Minister said.
Sitharaman said the government is particularly focusing on employment, skilling, MSMEs, and the middle class.
She announced the Prime Minister's package of 5 schemes and initiatives to facilitate employment, skilling and other opportunities for 4.1 crore youth over a five-year period with a central outlay of Rs two lakh crore.
"This year, I have made a provision of Rs 1.48 lakh crore for education, employment and skilling," she said
Sitharaman said the government will implement three schemes for 'Employment Linked Incentive', as part of the Prime Minister's package.
"These will be based on enrolment in the EPFO, and focus on recognition of first-time employees, and support to employees and employers," she said.
She said Scheme A for First Timers will provide one-month wage to all persons newly entering the workforce in all formal sectors.
The direct benefit transfer of one-month salary in three instalments to first-time employees, as registered in the EPFO, will be up to Rs 15,000.
The eligibility limit will be a salary of Rs one lakh per month. The minister said the scheme is expected to benefit 210 lakh youth. (with Agency inputs)
