The sanctity of an interim Budget

The Finance Minister's bold announcement of no big schemes on February 1 is commendable

Last week, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made a bold and prudent statement that should set her apart from many of her predecessors, particularly those in the past couple of decades. Addressing industry leaders, the finance minister virtually poured cold water on all their expectations of major announcements in the upcoming Budget.

“I am not going to play spoilsport, but it is a matter of truth that the February 1, 2024 Budget…will just be a vote on account because we will be in election mode, and elections will happen during the coming summer,” she said. Elaborating further, the finance minister explained: