Why Budget 2025 is a Win for India’s Farmers, Gig Workers, and Street Vendors

 ” The 3 transformative schemes announced in Budget 2025 aimed at empowering farmers, gig workers, and street vendors. Learn how the expanded PM-KISAN, Gig Workers’ Social Security, and enhanced PM SVANidhi schemes will drive inclusive growth and economic empowerment in India. “

The Union Budget 2025 has brought a wave of optimism for India’s farmers, gig workers, and street vendors. With a focus on inclusive growth and economic empowerment, the government has introduced three groundbreaking schemes aimed at uplifting these vital segments of the economy. These initiatives are designed to provide financial stability, enhance productivity, and ensure social security for millions of individuals who form the backbone of India’s informal sector. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of these schemes, their potential impact, and how they can help bridge the gap between the formal and informal economies.

1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Expansion: A Boon for Farmers

Overview

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme has been a cornerstone of the government’s efforts to support farmers since its inception in 2019. Under this scheme, eligible farmers receive direct income support of ₹6,000 per year, paid in three equal installments. In Budget 2025, the government has announced a significant expansion of the PM-KISAN scheme, increasing the annual financial assistance to ₹10,000 per farmer.

Key Features of the Expanded PM-KISAN Scheme

• Increased Financial Assistance: The annual support has been raised from ₹6,000 to ₹10,000, providing farmers with more substantial financial backing.
• Inclusion of Tenant Farmers: For the first time, tenant farmers and sharecroppers will be eligible to receive benefits under the PM-KISAN scheme. This move is expected to benefit an additional 2.5 crore farmers who were previously excluded from the scheme.
• Focus on Women Farmers: The expanded scheme will prioritize women farmers, ensuring that at least 30% of the beneficiaries are women. This is a significant step towards gender equality in agriculture.
• Integration with Crop Insurance: The government has announced the integration of PM-KISAN with the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), providing farmers with comprehensive financial protection against crop failures.

Impact on Farmers

The expansion of the PM-KISAN scheme is expected to have a transformative impact on the agricultural sector. With increased financial assistance, farmers will have more resources to invest in high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and modern farming equipment. This, in turn, will lead to higher agricultural productivity and improved incomes for farmers.

Moreover, the inclusion of tenant farmers and sharecroppers will address a long-standing issue in Indian agriculture, where a significant portion of the farming community has been excluded from government support. By extending the benefits to these marginalized groups, the government is taking a crucial step towards ensuring that no farmer is left behind.

The focus on women farmers is another commendable aspect of the expanded scheme. Women play a vital role in Indian agriculture, yet they often face significant barriers to accessing resources and support. By prioritizing women farmers, the government is not only promoting gender equality but also recognizing the critical contribution of women to the agricultural sector.

2. Gig Workers’ Social Security Scheme: A Safety Net for the Gig Economy

Overview

The gig economy has witnessed exponential growth in recent years, with millions of Indians working as delivery personnel, ride-hailing drivers, and freelance professionals. However, the lack of social security and job stability has been a major concern for gig workers. Recognizing the need to address these issues, the government has introduced the Gig Workers’ Social Security Scheme in Budget 2025.

Key Features of the Gig Workers’ Social Security Scheme

• Universal Social Security Coverage: The scheme will provide universal social security coverage to all gig workers, including health insurance, accident insurance, and pension benefits.
• Contribution-Based Model: The scheme will operate on a contribution-based model, with both gig workers and platform companies contributing to the social security fund. The government will also provide a matching contribution, ensuring that the scheme is financially sustainable.
• Portable Benefits: One of the unique features of the scheme is the portability of benefits. Gig workers will be able to carry their social security benefits across different platforms, ensuring continuity of coverage even if they switch jobs.
• Skill Development and Upskilling: The scheme will also include provisions for skill development and upskilling of gig workers, enabling them to enhance their employability and income potential.

Impact on Gig Workers

The Gig Workers’ Social Security Scheme is a game-changer for the gig economy. By providing universal social security coverage, the scheme addresses one of the most pressing concerns of gig workers – the lack of job security and financial stability. With access to health insurance, accident insurance, and pension benefits, gig workers will be better equipped to handle the uncertainties of the gig economy.

The contribution-based model ensures that the scheme is financially sustainable, with both gig workers and platform companies sharing the responsibility of funding the social security benefits. The government’s matching contribution further strengthens the financial foundation of the scheme, ensuring that it can provide comprehensive coverage to all gig workers.

The portability of benefits is another significant advantage of the scheme. Gig workers often switch between different platforms, and the ability to carry their social security benefits across platforms ensures that they do not lose their coverage when they change jobs. This feature provides gig workers with greater flexibility and security, making the gig economy a more attractive option for workers.

The inclusion of skill development and upskilling provisions is a forward-looking aspect of the scheme. As the gig economy continues to evolve, gig workers will need to continuously upgrade their skills to remain competitive. The scheme’s focus on skill development will enable gig workers to enhance their employability and income potential, ensuring that they can thrive in the gig economy.

3. PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Enhancement: Empowering Street Vendors

Overview

Street vendors are an integral part of India’s urban economy, providing essential goods and services to millions of people. However, they often face significant challenges, including lack of access to credit, harassment by authorities, and inadequate infrastructure. The PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, launched in 2020, aimed to address these challenges by providing street vendors with access to affordable credit. In Budget 2025, the government has announced a significant enhancement of the PM SVANidhi scheme, with a focus on expanding its reach and impact.

Key Features of the Enhanced PM SVANidhi Scheme

• Increased Loan Amount: The maximum loan amount under the PM SVANidhi scheme has been increased from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000, providing street vendors with more substantial financial support.
• Interest Subsidy: The government has introduced an interest subsidy of 7% on loans taken under the PM SVANidhi scheme, making credit more affordable for street vendors.
• Digital Payments Incentive: To promote digital payments, the scheme will provide an additional incentive of ₹1,000 per quarter to street vendors who adopt digital payment methods.
• Infrastructure Development: The enhanced scheme will include provisions for the development of vendor markets and infrastructure, ensuring that street vendors have access to better facilities and working conditions.

Impact on Street Vendors

The enhancement of the PM SVANidhi scheme is a significant step towards empowering street vendors and integrating them into the formal economy. By increasing the loan amount and introducing an interest subsidy, the scheme provides street vendors with access to affordable credit, enabling them to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

The focus on digital payments is another important aspect of the enhanced scheme. As India moves towards a digital economy, it is crucial that street vendors are not left behind. The incentive for adopting digital payment methods will encourage street vendors to embrace digital transactions, making their businesses more efficient and transparent.

The development of vendor markets and infrastructure is a much-needed intervention that will improve the working conditions of street vendors. By providing better facilities and infrastructure, the scheme will enhance the overall experience for both vendors and customers, contributing to the growth of the urban economy.

The three schemes announced in Budget 2025 – the expanded PM-KISAN scheme, the Gig Workers’ Social Security Scheme, and the enhanced PM SVANidhi scheme – are a testament to the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and economic empowerment. By addressing the unique challenges faced by farmers, gig workers, and street vendors, these initiatives have the potential to transform the lives of millions of individuals and contribute to the overall development of the Indian economy.

As these schemes are implemented, it is crucial that the government, private sector, and civil society work together to ensure their success. By providing the necessary support and resources, we can create a more inclusive and equitable economy where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.