Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): During a pre-budget discussion on Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda emphasised the need to incorporate expert suggestions into the upcoming state Budget.
The meeting featured various subject experts who shared their insights on improving the state’s economic landscape.
Former sarpanch Bhakti Sharma proposed training Ladli Behna Yojana beneficiaries in saving and insurance schemes. She said that while the financial assistance aims to uplift living standard, many women lack knowledge about managing their funds effectively.
Sharma also suggested extending the eligibility age for the scheme from 60 to 80 years, as older women often require more financial support.
CII representative Siddhart Chaturvedi called for provisions to support the export sector and emphasised addressing mental health issues in schools, noting that early intervention could benefit families.
He urged the government to reduce VAT on natural gas from 14% and advocated converting land leases of industries that have completed 30 years into freehold ownership.
A notable proposal discussed was the establishment of a Finance City in one of state’s major cities—Gwalior, Indore, or Bhopal.
This initiative aims to create a dedicated space for companies, facilitating better business management between New Delhi and Mumbai. The idea is to attract businesses by providing them with an organised environment conducive to growth, thereby boosting the state economy.
