Experts emphasize the need for prioritizing infrastructure, women’s health, and education in the Union Budget 2025-26.

Experts have highlighted that the Union Budget 2025-26 should prioritize crucial sectors such as infrastructure development, women’s health and well-being, educational progress, and related areas. They shared this perspective ahead of the Union Budget presentation by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament today. According to them, the budget should focus on key aspects that align with the vision of a “Viksit Bharat,” including job creation, addressing climate change, advancing agriculture, and other vital priorities.
Speaking to The Pioneer, RP Mamgain, head of the Economics department at Doon University, said that the Central government is committed to promoting the idea of Viksit Bharat, which focuses on self-reliance. He emphasized that developing infrastructure is essential to achieving the goals tied to this vision.
The budget should give top priority to infrastructure development, including enhancing road connectivity and modernizing agricultural facilities by setting up cold storage units. These facilities would help farmers store their produce efficiently and bring it to market on time. Along with infrastructure, the budget should also emphasize educational initiatives, such as launching skill development programs for the youth, which would lead to increased employment opportunities. Furthermore, addressing climate change should be a significant focus of the budget, he added.
“As a resident of Uttarakhand, my main concern is that the budget should focus on initiatives that drive the development of our region,” said HC Purohit, Student Welfare Dean at Doon University. He emphasized that herbal medicine should be a top priority in the budget, as Uttarakhand’s mountainous terrain makes it an ideal hub for this sector. Purohit urged the authorities to allocate funds for herbal medicine projects, including specific schemes to boost this area. He also expressed hopes for a budget allocation to promote tourism, both within Uttarakhand and in other states, by identifying and developing new tourist destinations. Additionally, he highlighted the need for tax relief for citizens, which could help stabilize market conditions by increasing disposable income.
Madhu Thapliyal, a faculty member at Government PG College, Uttarkashi, shared her views on the importance of a women-focused budget. She stressed that the 2025 budget should prioritize women’s needs and demands, with a particular emphasis on women’s health. According to her, ensuring affordable access to nutritious foods like dried fruits and other essentials should be a key focus, as this would improve health outcomes and strengthen the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment.
She also pointed out the need for free cervical cancer testing, as the high cost of such tests in many hospitals makes them inaccessible to many women.