Unique Identification Authority (UID): Having appointed former Infosys chief Nandan Nilekani as the head of the UID authority, the government has took another step towards implementing this ambitious programme. It allocated Rs 120 crore to fund the project which aims at identifying and providing unique identification number to all the intended beneficiaries of government’s social schemes. “This project is very close to my heart,” said Mukherjee in his budget speech. “I am happy to note that this project also marks the beginning of an era where the top private sector talent in India steps forward to take the responsibility for implementing projects of vital national importance,” he said in an obvious reference to the appointment of Nilekani. Mukherjee said the first unique identity numbers would be rolled out in the next 12 to 18 months.

Paramilitary forces: The budget brought some cheers to the nearly 5.5 lakh strong central paramilitary forces. The government agreed to one of their long-pending demands, especially by CRPF and BSF, to give special risk/hardship allowance at par with the defence forces for carrying out duties in areas like Jammu and Kashmir and the North-east. The government has also proposed a massive housing programme for personnel serving in para-military forces, promising to build one lakh homes in the next one year.

Chidambaram hails budget: Home Minister P Chidambaram gave a big thumbs-up to the budget, saying it would stimulate the economy and put the country firmly back on the high growth path. Chidambaram said the primacy accorded to programmes of infrastructure building like Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, National Highways Development Programme, Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme etc were the high points of the budget. The former finance minister also hailed “innovative” ideas like switching to the nutrient-based fertilizer subsidy directly to the farmer and the introduction of a National Food Security Act.