Apart from overall economic reforms, the upcoming Budget 2021-22 blossom should specifically cater to the needs of those who have been affected by the crisis. These include women and children, migrant workers, disabled persons, Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities and religious minorities. Women in India were already experiencing low work engagement rates, which have fallen further after the Covid-19. Duties associated with home, lack of childcare facilities, lack of safe and adequate public transport are factors that are making it difficult for women to return to work.
The government should increase aid for MNREGA, which showed high participation of women during the crisis. Also, the plan should be expanded to urban areas. Allocation for other important schemes for women such as the Rashtriya Crash Scheme and STEP (support for training and employment programs) is not extended, at least it should be maintained. As recommended by the Standing Committee on Labor Affairs. The government should expand the definition of ’employee’ to include ASHA and Anganwadi workers and increase their remuneration.
Maternity benefits are important in the context of Covid-19 as a source of supportive income. The amount of benefit should be increased under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). The administrative requirements and conditions should also be reduced under the scheme, so that more and more women can benefit. In the last five years, budgetary allocation for children has remained stable at around three per cent of the total Union budget. In 2016, the National Action Plan for Children sought to raise the level of the Union Budget by at least five per cent, while children remain relatively unaffected by the epidemic.
In such a situation, the disruption in the implementation of major health and nutrition schemes like Anganwadi Service, Mid-day Meal and National Health Mission has impacted children. A survey by the National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS-5) shows that in most states, children have been weighing less in terms of height and height over the past five years. The closure of Anganwadis and schools is expected to worsen the situation. To reverse these failures, the Union Budget 2021-22 should focus on strengthening and expanding nutrition services.
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