Port Blair, Feb 09: Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB) Andaman & Nicobar Chapter in association with National Interest Foundation of India (NIFI) and in collaboration with Department of Economics Jawaharlal Nehru RajkeeyaMahavidyalaya, Port Blair organized a discussion on “Union Budget: 2023 – Estimates and Expectations” on 8th February 2023 at Jawaharlal Nehru RajkeeyaMahavidyalaya (JNRM), Port Blair. The discussion was aimed to sensitize the students to “Know your Budget ”.
Dr. Kandimuttu, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, JNRM, and Honorary Coordinator NIFI gave the welcome address. The chief guest of the event, Mr. C Aravind, Secretary Finance, A & N Administration, addressed the students and encouraged them to pursue self-employment opportunities and aim higher in their careers. Dr. Hema banerjee, HOD, Department of Economics, JNRM briefed about the highlights of the Budget 2023 and its reflection to various sectors.
Dr. Poonam Arora, Convenor- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ex-Chairperson of the A&N Islands Social Welfare Advisory Board, highlighted the impact of Budget 2023-24 on the social sector and the various opportunities during the ‘Amrit Kaal’ with schemes like PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman (PM VIKAS) with a focus on on-the-job training and industry partnership. Dr. Poonam Arora apprised them on the schemes aimed at financially empowering women with Mahila Samman Saving Certificate scheme and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) and added that these developments under the Budget 2023 will reach all regions and citizens, particularly our youth, women, farmers, OBCs, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes. She also highlighted the Shree Anna Scheme where Indian Millets Research Center Hyderabad will be promoted as a center of excellence to promote coarse grains.
Mr. Yogesh kumar, Assistant Director, Br. MSME-DI, Port Blair apprised the students on the opportunities under MSME sectors and explained the various schemes they can explore for loans under PMKVY, PMEGP, Startup India, Stand Up India scheme emphasizing on SC/ST and Women entrepreneurship.
Mr. Girish arora, General Secretary, Laghu Udyog Bharati, A & N Islands briefed the students on the various opportunities the islands have in Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) and tourism sector. He has enlightened the students on how the islands can transform by the Border tourism- Swadesh Darshan Scheme highlighted in the budget 2023 and states to set up Unity Malls with the objective of promotion & sale of ‘One District, One Product’, GI tagged products & local handicraft.
Dr. Dev Das, Retd. Principal, Andaman College emphasized on various schemes of the budget 2023 like MISTHI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes), Lab-grown diamonds to meet the global demand and the special focus this budget has for the welfare of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) among others. Dr. Manju nair, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, JNRM presented the highlights of the seminar and conducted quiz competitions for the students and the winners of the quiz were awarded.
Dr. H.K. Sharma, Principal, JNRM insisted that the students should understand the advantages of their study of economics and reach their desired potential academically for a better future and refrain from substance abuse or any illegal activities. The vote of thanks was presented by Ms. Stella nancy Guest Faculty, Department of Economics, and JNRM.