Union Budget 2023: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that the government has decided to revive 50 additional airports, helipads, water aero drones and advanced landing grounds. He said that this decision has been taken to increase regional air connectivity across the country.
Presenting another paperless budget in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said, “50 additional airports, helipads, water aero drones and advanced landing grounds will be revived to improve regional air connectivity.”
In the last Union Budget, the Finance Minister had allocated Rs 10,667 crore for the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Regional connectivity program UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) will get Rs 600.7 crore of the total allocation, while AI Asset Holdings Ltd will receive Rs 9,259 crore for servicing the debt transferred to the special purpose vehicle (SPV). Air India.
What did the Finance Minister say on the promotion of tourism
Meanwhile, Sitharaman also said that tourism promotion will be taken on “mission mode” with active participation of states, convergence of government programs and public-private partnerships. In his budget speech, he also emphasized that the country offers “huge attractions” for domestic and foreign tourists.
He said that there is huge potential in tourism as this sector has huge opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurship especially for the youth.
“50 tourist destinations will be selected through challenge mode to develop them as complete packages for domestic and international tourism,” Sitharaman said.
Notably, this year’s budget assumes great importance as the next Lok Sabha elections are due in the country in April-May 2024. As per established tradition, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with Ministers of State Pankaj Choudhary and Bhagwat Karad and Finance Secretary TV Somanathan called on President Draupadi Murmu.
(with inputs from agencies)