Interim Budget 2024: Top Statements By Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
It's D-day! Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has begun her interim budget presentation. This year is an interim Budget instead of a Union Budget as it seeks Parliament's nod for a grant in advance to meet the central government's essential expenditure for the first four months of the new fiscal year that starts in April. This marks Sitharaman's sixth Budget as the finance minister.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman finally gave her interim budget presentation. This year is an interim Budget instead of a Union Budget as it seeks Parliament's nod for a grant in advance to meet the central government's essential expenditure for the first four months of the new fiscal year that starts in April.
This marks Sitharaman's sixth Budget as the finance minister.
Check out all the important statements that were made:
1. The economy is doing well; people are living better and earning better with greater aspirations for future. Average real income of people has increased by 50%, inflation is moderate, says Union Finance Minister
2. "PM Vishwakarma Yojana provides end-to-end support to artisans and crafts people engaged in 18 trades. The schemes for empowerment of divyangs and transgender persons reflect firm resolve of our our government to leave no one behind. Every year, under PM Kisan Samman Yojana, direct financial assistance is provided to 11.8 crore farmers, including marginal and small farmers".
3. "Social justice: Our government is working with an approach to development that is all-round, all pervasive and all inclusive".
4. Skill India Mission
The Skill India Mission has trained 1.4 crore youth, upskilled and re-skilled 54 lakh youth, and established 3000 new ITIs. A large number of institutional higher learning, namely 7 IITs, 16 IIITs, 7 IIMs, 15 AIIMS and 390 Universities have been set up, says Finance Minister.
5. PM Vishwakarma Yojana provides end-to-end support to artisans and crafts people engaged in 18 trades. The schemes for empowerment of divyangs and transgender persons reflect firm resolve of our our government to leave no one behind. Every year, under PM Kisan Samman Yojana, direct financial assistance is provided to 11.8 crore farmers, including marginal and small farmers
6. Nari Shakti
Female enrolment in higher education up by 28% in 10 years, in STEM courses, girls & women make 43% of enrolment, one of the highest in the world. All these steps are reflected in the increasing participation of women in the workforce. Making triple talaq illegal, reservation of 1/3 seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies, over 70 % houses under PM Awas Yojana to women have increased their dignity
7. Prevention of cervical cancer - Will encourage vaccination in girls of 9-14 years to prevent cervical cancer
8. Strategy For Amrit Kaal
Our government will adopt economic policies that foster and sustain growth, facilitate inclusive and sustainable development, improve productivity, create opportunities for all, help them enhance their capabilities and contribute to generation of resources to power investments and fulfill aspirations.
9. Ayushman Bharat Scheme
It will be extended to all ASHA and Anganwadi workers The Finance Minister announces that the health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat scheme will be extended to all ASHA and Anganwadi workers and helpers.
10. Infrastructure
The outlay for infrastructure has been increased to Rs 11.11 lakh crores in FY25, says FM Sitharaman.
11. PM Vishwakarma Yojana
PM Vishwakarma Yojana provides end-to-end support to artisans and crafts people engaged in 18 trades. The schemes for empowerment of divyangs and transgender persons reflect firm resolve of our our government to leave no one behind. Every year, under PM Kisan Samman Yojana, direct financial assistance is provided to 11.8 crore farmers, including marginal and small farmers.
12. Economy And Inflation
The economy is doing well; people are living better and earning better with greater aspirations for future. Average real income of people has increased by 50%, inflation is moderate.
13. Goods And Services Tax (GST)
Goods and Services Tax (GST) has enabled one nation, one market, one tax. Tax reforms have led to deepening and widening of tax base. Strengthening of the financial sector has helped in making savings, credit and investments more efficient.
14. Fiscal Deficit
The fiscal deficit in 2024-25 is estimated to be 5.1% of GDP,
15. Taxes
I propose to retain the same tax rates for direct and indirect taxes including import duties, said Nirmala Sitharaman.
16. New Corridors
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced three new corridors for the railways ¨C Energy, Mineral and Cement corridor, Port Connectivity Corridor and a High Traffic Density Corridor.
17. No Changes In Income Tax Slabs
FM Sitharaman announced that there is no proposal to make changes related to taxation.
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