Nirmala Sitharaman Invokes Ayodhya Ram Mandir in Budget 2024 Speech, Stirs Debate

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman referred to the newly opened Ram temple in Ayodhya during her Interim Budget speech in Parliament on Thursday, February 1.

In her interim Budget speech, Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned the Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana and stated that rooftop solarization will allow one crore households to receive up to 300 units of free electricity per month. Sitharaman continued, “This plan reflects the Prime Minister’s resolve on the historic day of the Ram Mandir’s consecration in Ayodhya.”

Earlier in January, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana, which aims to install solar panels on rooftops.

“I have taken my first decision after returning from Ayodhya that our government will launch ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryoday Yojna’ with the aim to install rooftop solar systems in one crore houses,” Modi had stated on X.

Benefits under the scheme

Sitharaman briefed the House on the advantages, stating that “households will save up to ₹15,000-18,000 annually from free solar electricity and selling the surplus to the distribution companies.”

People will be able to charge their electric cars under the program, which will open up business opportunities for many suppliers and installers as well as job opportunities for young people with technical skills in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.

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In reference to India’s pledge to achieve “net-zero” energy by 2070, she disclosed a funding gap for offshore wind energy viability.

“Viability gap funding will be provided for harnessing offshore wind energy potential for initial capacity of 1 GW,” said the minister.