The government on Monday proposed Rs 2,23,846 crore Budget outlay for health and well-being for 2021-22, compared to Rs 94,452 crore in the current fiscal, an increase of 137 per cent.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also proposed Rs 35,000 crore outlay for COVID-19 vaccines for the next fiscal and announced the rollout of pneumococcal vaccines across the country to help save over 50,000 deaths annually.
"I have provided Rs 35,000 crore for COVID vaccines for 2021-22. I commit to provide further funds if required," the Finance Minister said while presenting the Budget for 2021-22.
India already has two COVID-19 vaccines and two more are likely to be launched, the minister said.
The pneumococcal vaccine is effective against potentially fatal pneumococcal infections like pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis.
"The pneumococcal vaccines, a Made in India product, is presently limited to just five states, it will be rolled out across the country," the Finance Minister noted.
This will avert over 50,000 deaths annually in the country, Nirmala Sitharaman said.
N Sitharaman Urges India To Defy Western Diktats To Build "Brand Bharat" Fact Check: Deepfake Shared As N Sitharaman, RBI Chief Endorsing Investment Project X User Seeks Relief For Middle Class. Nirmala Sitharaman Responds Election Results 2024 LIVE Updates: Maharashtra Battle To Decide Real NCP, Sena Election Results LIVE: Mahayuti Leads In Maharashtra, INDIA In Jharkhand Jharkhand Election Results 2024 LIVE Updates: INDIA Bloc Makes A Comeback CA Foundation, Intermediate January 2025 Registration Deadline Without Late Fee Today E Shinde, Ajit Pawar In Focus As Breakaway Leaders Upstage Mentors D Fadnavis Gets Call From Mother As BJP Celebrates Maharashtra Results Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.