Analysis of Budget 2020 presented by FM Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament

FM Nirmala Sitharaman : The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will be completed by 2023; Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway to be launched

Huge 130% increase in development and promotion of commerce and industry to 27,300 Crore , says HT Editor Sukumar Ranganathan

Huge 130% increase in development and promotion of commerce and industry to 27,300 Crore . CAVEAT: assuming none of this comes under ministry of finance and all comes under ministry of commerce . Need to see fine print

— sukumar ranganathan (@HT_Ed) February 1, 2020

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces allocation of ₹27,300 cr for development and promotion of industry and commerce sector for FY 2020-21

On the finance minister's announcement of a degree-level full-fledged online education programme to be offered by institutes in top 100 in National Institutional Ranking Framework, HT Editor Sukumar Ranganathan says it is a pretty big deal.

Top 100 institutions can offer degree level online programmers — pretty big deal for colleges/universities

— sukumar ranganathan (@HT_Ed) February 1, 2020

The proposal to attach a medical college to a district hospital in PPP mode seems to be a clear attempt to strengthen health infra at district level, says HT Editor Sukumar Rangnathan.

Seems to be a clear attempt to strengthen health infra at district level — by setting up hospitals through PPP in 112 aspirational districts and by attaching a medical college (set up through PPP again) to district hospitals l.

— sukumar ranganathan (@HT_Ed) February 1, 2020

FM Nirmala Sitharaman: There is a shortage of qualified medical doctors both general practitioners and specialists; it is proposed to attach a medical college to a district hospital in PPP mode; details of the scheme to be worked out soon.

Centre to announce new education policy soon; govt received over 2 lakh suggestions on it: FM

For sector comprising agriculture, allied activities, irrigation and rural development, an allocation of ₹2.83 lakh crores has been made for 2020-21.

This is an increase of 10% over last year, says HT Editor Sukumar Rangnathan

10% increase over last year in spending on agriculture and rural development to 2.83 lakh Crore

— sukumar ranganathan (@HT_Ed) February 1, 2020

States are asked to adopt 3 central model laws on Agricultural land leasing, marketing and contract farming

On the FM's announcement on Kisan Rail, HT Editor Sukumar Ranganathan says, "kisan rail. Nifty idea. And new. "

Cold storage train:; kisan rail. Nifty idea. And new as far as I can remember . And Kidan Udan to boot too.

— sukumar ranganathan (@HT_Ed) February 1, 2020

To build a seamless national cold supply chain for perishables, Indian Railways will set up Kisan Rail through PPP model so that perishable goods can be transported quickly, says FM. Krishi Udaan will be launched by MoCA on international and national routes.

Solar generation on fallow land to boost farm incomes. HT Editor Sukumar Rangnathan believes it can cut both ways.

Another action point acc to FM: solar generation on fallow land to boost farm incomes. Can cut both ways, I think.

— sukumar ranganathan (@HT_Ed) February 1, 2020

Action point for agriculture according to FM : Encourage states to adopt three model laws, one on land leading, another amending APMC, and third allowing contract farming. Remains to be seen what form this encouragement takes, says HT Editor Sukumar Rangnathan

Finance minister's commitment to doubling farmer incomes is important as a rural boost will help the cause of demand, says HT Editor Sukumar Rangnathan

FM reiterates commitment to doubling farmer incomes. This is important because a rural boost will help the cause of demand.

— sukumar ranganathan (@HT_Ed) February 1, 2020

Themes of budget according to Finance Minister: Aspirational India (health, education, jobs); growth for all; and a caring society, says HT Editor Sukumar Rangnathan