India’s Union Budget 2022-23 demonstrates a clear intent to prioritise investments in clean energy and sustainable development, in line with the country’s promises made at COP26 in Glasgow last year. The Budget is also an opportunity to turn the spotlight on policy conversations — since it sets the tone for reflecting on policies, schemes, and how they are implemented on the ground. Electricity and development sectors need a more integrated approach to achieve the vision set forth in instruments such as the Union Budget that guide policy implementation at other administrative levels.
A reduction
While the health sector witnessed a 16% increase in estimated Budget allocations from last year, medical and public health spending was reduced by 45% for 2022-23. The education sector also witnessed an 11.86% increase in allocations. Interestingly, despite the push for digital education, which now includes the e-Vidya programme (to boost online learning), last year’s revised allocation saw a reduction of 35%. And despite these increases in estimates, health and education continue to share only about 2% each of budgetary allocations annually.
