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Budget And Politics
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said the Union Budget strikes a fine balance between growth, employment, and fiscal consolidation, and promotes cooperative federalism. Replying to the discussion on the Union Budget 2024-25 and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Budget in Rajya Sabha, the minister said the government is on track to achieve the pre-announced fiscal deficit target of 4.5 per cent by 2025-26. Sitharaman, also a former defence minister, said the Agniveer Scheme to recruit people in the age group of 17.5 to 21 years, is aimed at keeping the armed forces fit, young and battle-ready. The minister, who presented her seventh Union Budget, also said the economic document proposes unflinching support for cooperative federalism. "I would like to underline that our unflinching commitment to cooperative federalism. The total resources proposed to be transferred to the states in 2024-25 are estimated at Rs 22.91 lakh crore. This actually entails an increase of R
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan on Saturday said absence of a state's name in the Union Budget does not mean that funds were not allocated to them. He claimed that states are always getting sufficient funds from the Centre. Absence of the name of a state in the Union Budget does not mean no funds were allocated to it. Uttar Pradesh was not mentioned, Rajasthan was not mentioned. Even Madhya Pradesh was not mentioned. It does not mean that sufficient funds were not allocated, he told reporters. Further, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his commitment to the people of Andhra Pradesh during his visit to the state earlier that similar to Viksit Bharat (developed India) the government will also go ahead for Viksit Andhra Pradesh. Earlier, addressing a press conference, the Union Minister highlighted several allocations made to the southern state in the Union Budget 2024-25. Customs duty exemption on shrimp production, impetus to natural
The opposition Congress in Manipur on Tuesday criticised the BJP-led government at the Centre, alleging that it ignored the plight of the state, which not only suffered a major flood but also bore the brunt of ethnic violence, in the Union Budget. State Congress president K Meghachandra alleged that there was a partisan approach in the Budget. "There was a partiality in the budget. The entire Northeast was not taken care of. Manipur was once again neglected. While flood-hit Assam was mentioned, Manipur that witnessed a catastrophic hailstorm and two of the worst floods in more than 20 years was not," he said. "Not providing any aid to more than 60,000 displaced people is also a setback. We are very much disappointed," he said. Meanwhile, the ruling BJP in the state hailed the Budget, asserting that it was dedicated to the holistic and inclusive development of all citizens. In a statement, state BJP spokesperson M Asnikumar said, "To achieve comprehensive social justice, we will em
The finance ministry's Economic Survey on Monday suggested that governments renounce some of their powers as it would be good for 'both the governed and the governing'. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey 2023-24 a day before the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha. While contemplating the challenges that lie ahead, one should not be daunted because the social and economic transformation of democratic India is a remarkable success story, the document, authored by a team lead by Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran, stated. "We have come a long way. The economy has grown from around USD 288 billion in FY93 (1992-93) to USD 3.6 trillion in FY23," it said. India has generated more growth per dollar of debt than other comparable nations and abject poverty has all but been eliminated. Human development indicators have improved, and more Indians, especially women, are getting educated, the 476-page document said. "However, it would be a missed opportunity --