Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today
Statement 27-A, a voluntary disclosure of state-owned entities' borrowings, introduced in the Budget for 2024-25, enhances fiscal transparency and signals prudent fiscal management
The deficit stood at 33.9 per cent of the Budget Estimates (BE) in the corresponding period of 2023-24
Annual government spending has shot up. Fiscal deficit concerns remain. Between the Centre and states, sometimes one has scored over the other. An overview of government finances since 1975
Employees could choose the investment plan of their choice based on their contribution and 10% contribution by the government
Under the unified system, employee contributions will remain unaltered at 10% of basic pay plus dearness allowance
The figures did not include recent pay deals struck between the new Labour government, elected last month in a landslide victory, and public sector workers including junior doctors
Path towards a reduction in the debt-GDP ratio will be announced later
Total government expenditure during the period was Rs 9.7 trillion, or about 20.4 per cent of the annual goal, lower than the Rs 10.51 trillion in the same period last year
The government estimates its debt, including external borrowing, valued at current exchange rate and public account and other liabilities will increase to Rs 185 lakh crore, or 56.8 per cent of the GDP, during the current fiscal year. The total debt stood at Rs 171.78 lakh crore, or 58.2 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP), at the end of March 2024, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Monday. As per the International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook, April 2024, India's Gross Domestic Product at current prices has already reached USD 3.57 trillion in 2023-24, he said. Replying to another question, Chaudhary said the growth rate of the private final consumption expenditure (PFCE) at constant prices in 2022-23 and 2023-24 is 6.8 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively, he said, quoting provisional GDP estimates for 2023-24 released by the National Statistical Office. The growth rate of PFCE at current prices in 2022-2
The good news is that the automotive sector, which provides incentives for electric vehicles and components, is finally taking off
Fitch Ratings on Friday said India's post-election budget confirms that the new administration remains committed to reducing the fiscal deficit for FY25 and FY26, despite demands of the coalition government. In the FY25 budget, the government has lowered the Centre's fiscal deficit target for the year ending March 2025 to 4.9 per cent of GDP, from 5.1 per cent in February's interim budget. The government's fiscal deficit target for FY25 is significantly below the 5.4 per cent that the ratings agency anticipated when it affirmed India's 'BBB-' rating, with a stable outlook, in January 2024. "India's post-election budget confirms that the new administration remains committed to reducing the fiscal deficit this and next year, despite the demands of the coalition government," Fitch Ratings said in a statement. The sustained focus on supporting economic growth through high public capex also points to continuity in key areas, it added. "We believe that it should be achievable as the ...
India needs medium-term targets
For the first time, the government has rolled out a package to raise the long-term employability of the country's youth and incentivise their hiring by corporates
Finance Secretary said the figure of 3% for fiscal deficit does not take into account the specific dynamics of a fast growing economy like India
Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Wednesday presented a Rs 993.08-crore deficit budget for 2024-25, focusing on infrastructure, urban development and healthy human resource. Mein, who also holds the Finance, Planning and Investment portfolios, said the budget estimate is pegged at Rs 35,840.79 crore, a 20.85-per cent increase over the 2023-24 figure. Our vision is people-centric and progressive... We are committed to fulfill the aspirations of every person, especially our youth, women and farmers. Staying on this trajectory, by the time we complete the third term in government, there should be no development gaps in the state. We shall be guided by the transformative idea of Viksit Bharat, Viksit Arunachal' as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mein said. The deputy chief minister said the share of central taxes for the 2024-25 budget has been pegged at Rs 21,431.59 crore, an increase of 19.42 per cent over the 2023-24 estimate.
The federal budget released Tuesday targeted a smaller fiscal deficit for this year on the back of a record dividend from the Reserve Bank of India
Union Budget 2024 analysis: The government has laid out a clear vision for 'Viksit Bharat' by addressing key areas - agricultural reforms, manufacturing push and employment generation among others
Rupee falls to new low due to weakening stocks
Budget 2024: While some of the announcements were on expected lines, many have led to a surprise among investors