Quick notes: Rs 1 lakh cr Urban Challenge Fund on cards
The government will set up an Urban Challenge Fund of Rs 1 lakh crore to implement the proposals for ‘Cities as Growth Hubs’, ‘Creative Redevelopment of Cities’ and ‘Water and Sanitation’ announced in July. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the fund would finance up to 25% of the cost of bankable projects, with a stipulation that at least 50% of the cost was funded from bonds, bank loans and PPPs.
Geospatial mission to modernise land records
The government has proposed to establish a National Geospatial Mission for the development of foundational geospatial infrastructure and data. Using PM Gati Shakti, this mission will facilitate modernisation of land records, urban planning and design of infrastructure projects. tns
New scheme to assist 1 crore gig workers
Sitharaman said the government had been giving priority to urban poor and vulnerable groups. A scheme for socio-economic upliftment of urban workers would be implemented to help them improve their incomes, have sustainable livelihoods and a better quality of life, she said. Recognising the contribution of gig workers, the government will arrange for their identity cards and registration on the e-Shram portal. They will be provided healthcare under PM Jan Arogya Yojana. This measure is expected to assist nearly 1 crore gig workers. She said the PM SVANidhi scheme had benefitted over 68 lakh street vendors, giving them respite from high-interest informal sector loans. tns
Culture Ministry gets Rs 100 crore raise
The government has increased the budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Culture, with a total outlay of Rs 3,360.96 crore against a revised estimate of Rs 3,260.93 crore in the current fiscal. Within the ministry, a major chunk has gone to the Archaeological Survey of India, which has been allocated Rs 1,278.49 crore against Rs 1273.91 crore allocated in 2024-25 that was revised to Rs 1191.99 crore. While the government has continued to support cultural development, it has significantly reduced funding for organising events to mark centenaries and anniversaries. Pti
Tribal Ministry Budget sees 45% hike
The government has increased the Budget for the Union Tribal Ministry by over 45% compared to the last year, allocating more funds to bridge infrastructure gaps in tribal-dominated areas across the country. For 2025-26, the ministry has been allocated Rs 14,925.81 crore, up from Rs 10,237.33 crore in 2024-25. Pti
Housing gets Rs 96,777 cr infra push
The Centre has hiked the allocation for the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry by around 18%. It has allocated Rs 96,777 crore to the ministry for the next fiscal as against Rs 82,576 crore in the Budget 2024-25. In this fiscal, the government has set aside Rs 373 crore for the PM SVANidhi. Pti
Rural development Budget up by 5.75%
The Rural Development Ministry has been allocated Rs 1.88 lakh crore in the Budget for 2025-26, around 5.75% more than the allocation in the previous Budget. The allocation for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Development Scheme (MGNREGS) was Rs 86,000 crore, the same as the last year. pti
