Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Government of India, presented the Budget 2025 in Parliament on February 1, 2025. She emphasized that India’s rich heritage and cultural landmarks hold immense potential for economic growth.
Inspired by the success of the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme, a modified UDAN scheme will be launched to enhance regional connectivity to 120 new destinations, with a target of carrying four crore passengers over the next ten years. The scheme will also support the development of helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational, and Northeastern districts. Additionally, greenfield airports will be established in Bihar to meet future needs, complementing the expansion of Patna Airport and the development of a brownfield airport at Bihta.
Mrs Sitharaman proposed the comprehensive development of the Vishnupad Temple Corridor, the Mahabodhi Temple Corridor, and Rajgir. She also announced assistance for developing temples, monuments, traditional craftsmanship, wildlife sanctuaries, natural landscapes, and pristine beaches in Odisha.
The Minister highlighted that the country’s top 50 tourist destinations will be developed through a challenge-based model in collaboration with state governments. States will be required to provide land for key infrastructure, and hotels in these destinations will be included under the infrastructure HML.
To facilitate employment-led growth in the tourism sector, the government will:
Organize intensive skill development programs for youth, including training at Institutes of Hospitality Management.
Provide MUDRA loans for homestays.
Improve travel ease and connectivity to tourist destinations.
Offer performance-linked incentives to states for effective destination management, including tourist amenities, cleanliness, and marketing efforts.
Introduce streamlined e-visa facilities along with visa-fee waivers for select tourist groups.
Continuing the emphasis on places of spiritual and religious significance from the July Budget, the Minister announced a special focus on destinations related to the life and teachings of Lord Buddha.
Mrs Sitharaman also stated that Medical Tourism and the “Heal in India” initiative will be promoted in partnership with the private sector, focusing on capacity building and easier visa norms.
In a major relief to taxpayers, she announced that no income tax will be payable on income up to ₹12 lakh. For salaried taxpayers, this limit will be ₹12.75 lakh, considering the ₹75,000 standard deduction. She emphasized that the new income tax regime will be simplified, with a special focus on benefiting the middle class.
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