Budget expectation 2021: Dr Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and MD, Aster DM Healthcare
A large number of NRIs have been made jobless and returned to India due to the pandemic. There is a requirement for a scheme for rehabilitation of the returning NRIs by providing them with jobs and seed capital for starting businesses. Initiatives to provide skill development for them may be started. The year 2020 with COVID-19 pandemic hit home the fact that strong healthcare infrastructure is essential to ensure a sustainable economy. It is important to at least double the healthcare budget from last year’s meagre allocation. This would help to improve access to affordable care for the masses. The Budget should also be able to create capacities for vaccinating India’s large population against COVID-19 which is key to end the pandemic and revive the economy. Allocation of sufficient funds to cover about 40 per cent of the low-income population who fall under the Ayushman Bharat scheme through free vaccination shall help in addressing this. India must have an open sky policy allowing Indian and foreign airlines to freely operate, which will bring down the airfare between the countries and help NRIs.