Government Unveils Economic Blueprint for Job Creation, PLI Expansion & MSMEs

New Delhi, Jun 17 (KNN) The government is poised to introduce a comprehensive economic strategy aimed at fostering job creation, empowering small businesses, and enhancing women's participation in the workforce, according to sources familiar with the preliminary budget discussions.

A key component of this strategy involves the proposed expansion of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to new sectors such as furniture, toys, footwear, and additional segments of textiles.

This move is intended to stimulate domestic manufacturing and attract foreign investment. The government is also contemplating the inclusion of speciality chemicals in the PLI scheme, capitalising on the retreat of European companies from this sector.

The plan places significant emphasis on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), recognising their pivotal role in job creation.

While specific details are yet to be finalised, the objective is to empower these enterprises, building upon the support provided during the post-Covid recovery phase.

Addressing concerns about employment that emerged during recent elections, the government is prioritising both the quantity and quality of jobs.

This focus is partly in response to perceived voter dissatisfaction, which some analysts attribute to the ruling party's performance in certain regions.

Women's economic empowerment is another central theme of the proposed measures. Initiatives under consideration include tax arrangements and other incentives designed to boost women's income levels and workforce participation.

The middle class may also see targeted benefits, potentially extending beyond conventional tax concessions to include measures such as interest rate subsidies on housing loans.

Infrastructure development remains a priority, with plans being formulated to enhance both urban and rural infrastructure.

These initiatives are expected to form part of the government's 100-day agenda, which will inform the targets set for 2030. The Finance Ministry is scheduled to commence pre-budget consultations this week, engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders including economists, agricultural experts, market participants, bankers, and labour unions.

The Finance Minister is also slated to meet with state finance ministers to gather input for the national budget, prior to convening the GST Council meeting.

(KNN Bureau)