Page 16 - Union Budget

Budget 2025-26 to transform India's infrastructure, says IIFCL MD

With this year's budget, it is evident that the government has embarked on an ambitious journey to revolutionise the country's infrastructure landscape, India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) Managing Director PR Jaishankar said on Sunday. Strategic investments and policy reforms outlined in the budget reflect a strong commitment to making India a Viksit Bharat by 2047, ensuring sustained economic growth, global competitiveness, and enhanced quality of life for all citizens, he said while outlining some of the major announcements in the Budget. The government has announced various measures, including an Asset Monetization Plan (2025-2030), aimed at recycling Rs 10 lakh crore into new infrastructure developments, backed by regulatory and fiscal reforms. The Budget also announced a plan to leverage PM Gati Shakti to modernise land records, urban planning, and infrastructure design, enhancing project execution efficiency, he told PTI. To attract long-term capital for ...

Budget is by the people, for the people, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday described the Union Budget as "by the people, for the people, of the people", and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fully behind the idea to cut taxes for middle class but it took time to convince the bureaucrats. "We have heard the voice of the middle class" who had been complaining about their aspirations not being met despite being honest taxpayers, she told PTI in an interview. With the honest and proud taxpayers wanting the government to do more to limit the impact of factors like inflation, the prime minister was quick to task Sitharaman to look at ways to give relief. While Modi was quick to agree to tax relief, it took a bit of convincing to get on board the officials in the finance ministry and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) - who are tasked to ensure revenue collection to meet welfare and other schemes, she said. Presenting her eighth straight budget, Sitharaman on Saturday announced

Budget a watershed moment in India's clean energy transition: Experts

Industry experts hailed steps for boosting clean energy like nuclear mission, incentives for critical minerals and renewable equipment in the Budget presented on Saturday by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman. Sitharaman announced a Rs 20,000-crore nuclear mission and duty exemptions for crucial minerals and capital goods for electric vehicles to step up energy transition. Rajat Verma, Founder & CEO, LOHUM said, The 2025 budget marks a watershed moment in India's journey toward clean energy sovereignty and circular economy leadership. The government's strategic vision for domestic manufacturing and critical minerals recycling demonstrates remarkable foresight in securing our sustainable future." The elimination of import duties on lithium-ion battery scrap, cobalt powder, and an array of critical mineral wastes unlocks unprecedented opportunities. Coupled with the duty exemption expansion to 63 additional capital goods for EV and mobile battery production, this creates a ...

Budget: Allocation for export promotion schemes dips 17% to Rs 2,250 cr

The government has earmarked Rs 2,250 crore for export promotion schemes for 2025-26, down 17 per cent from Rs 2,718.73 crore allocated in the revised Budget estimates for 2024-25. According to the Budget document, allocation for Department of Commerce has dipped to Rs 5,300.99 crore for the next fiscal as against Rs 5,624 crore in the revised estimates (RE) for the ongoing fiscal year. Under export promotion schemes, no fund is allocated for market access initiative (MAI) and interest equalisation scheme. Though the scheme ended on December 31, 2024, the exporting community has been pitching hard for its extension. Now the government has announced plans to roll out an export promotion mission. "New scheme namely, Export Promotion Mission, has been formulated to act as a catalyst to facilitate India's export competitiveness," it said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech on Saturday said that through the mission, the government will facilitate exporters to get

I-T relief fuels consumption Budget: FM focuses on agri, MSMEs, exports

FM Sitharaman targets FY26 fiscal deficit at 4.4% of GDP

Budget 2025-26: Lok Sabha gets Rs 903 crore, Rajya Sabha Rs 413 crore

Lok Sabha has been allocated Rs 903 crore in the Union Budget, more than double the amount given to the Rajya Sabha. A sizeable allocation -- Rs 558.81 crore of the total Rs 903 crore --? has been assigned to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, which also includes Grants in Aid to the Sansad TV. Of the Rs 413 crore allocated to Rajya Sabha, Rs 2.52 crore have been assigned for salaries and allowances of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat. The budget for Rajya Sabha also has a separate allocation of Rs 3 crore for the salaries and allowances of Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and his secretariat. The budget has also allocated Rs 98.84 crore for members. For Lok Sabha, Rs 1.56 crore has been allocated for salaries and allowances of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, and there is no separate provision for the office of the Leader of the Opposition. There was no Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha for 10 years as no opposition party had the required numb

Budget 2025 FAQs: Key tax, insurance and investment changes explained

Budget 2025 brings key tax, insurance, and investment changes. From ULIP taxation to NPS benefits and Kisan Credit Card updates, here's a breakdown of FAQs to help you understand the new provisions

'Bihar bias, ignored key sectors': P Chidambaram slams Union Budget 2025

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram accused the government of favouring taxpayers and voters in Bihar in Union Budget 2025

Charting a new growth path: Budget sets sights on greener pastures

Uncertain rainfall remains a significant challenge

Budget 2025: Charting a new growth path amid excess capacity, FDI concerns

Net FDI inflows are plummeting due to repatriation by foreign firms, coupled with increased outbound foreign investment by Indians

Charting a new growth path: Budget highlights falling insurance penetration

Limited choice of insurance products and absence of people-friendly claim settlement mechanism is leading to lower insurance coverage in rural India

Budget 2025: On track to make India future-ready with growth focus

This year's budget has the potential to lead to Green Revolution 2.0, strengthening food security, improving farmer incomes, reducing volatility in food prices and controlling inflation

Budget: Unlocking India's path to a prosperous future with inclusive growth

To unlock India's growth potential and make it truly Atmanirbhar, the Budget has offered a major credit boost to MSMEs as well as start-ups

Budget 2025: Charting a new growth path as demand rises, concerns remain

Consumers remain pessimistic regarding the current economic situation possibly due to increased prices of essential items

Budget ready reckoner: Mkt borrowings' share declines, Centre's capex up

Reduction in sovereign debt-to-GDP ratio requires a decline in fiscal deficit in proportion to GDP

Budget 2025: Rs 20k cr Nuclear Mission for small modular reactor, 5 by 2033

Global interest in small modular reactors has been increasing due to their ability to provide flexible power generation and base-load power for a range of applications, says NITI Aayog report

Charting a new growth path: New tax regime eases middle-class burden

Share of middle class in income tax increased till 2023-24 while TDS has been rationalised by reducing the number of rates and adjusting threshold limits

Budget 2025: Investment, turnover limits for MSMEs hiked up to 2.5 times

Currently, over 1 crore registered MSMEs, employing 7.5 crore people and generating 36 per cent of our manufacturing, have come together to position India as a global manufacturing hub

Sector Watch: From tech to auto, how the Budget affects key sectors

Broadband connectivity to all government secondary schools and primary health centres

Charting a new growth path: Engine of growth yet to ensure full safety

Derailments are the top cause for accidents, with collisions and fire being distant second and third. In 2022-23, there was a spurt in the first two accident types