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As expected, leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (<keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP" source="keywords">BJP</keyword>) cannot stop singing praises of the Union Budget 2024-2025 presented by Finiance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> earlier today. However, moments after <keyword id="20385790" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Finance-Minister" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Union Finance Minister" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Union Finance Minister">Union Finance Minister</keyword> Nirmala Sitharaman presented the <keyword id="19955368" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Budget-2024" source="keywords">Budget 2024</keyword> in Parliament, the <keyword id="19895371" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Congress" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Congress">Congress</keyword> party launched a critical attack on the ruling Centre. They claimed that portions of the fiscal document had been lifted directly from their <keyword id="19977669" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Manifesto" source="keywords">manifesto</keyword> for the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year. <h2><keyword id="19895780" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi" source="keywords">Rahul Gandhi</keyword>'s "Kursi Bachao" Budget comment</h2>Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised the Budget, describing it as the "Kursi Bachao" (Save the Seat) Budget, aimed at appeasing the BJP's allies and cronies. He alleged that the document was copied from the Congress party's Lok Sabha polls manifesto. "Kursi Bachao Budget. Appease Allies: Hollow promises to them at the cost of other states. Appease Cronies: Benefits to AA with no relief for the common Indian. Copy and Paste: Congress manifesto and previous budgets," Gandhi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). <div type="twitter" handle="RahulGandhi" handlename="RahulGandhi" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1815672226584166514"></div><h2><keyword id="19934649" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="P-Chidambaram" source="keywords">P Chidambaram</keyword> takes dig at the Nirmala Sitharaman</h2>Former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram expressed his satisfaction over what he perceived as the government's adoption of ideas originally proposed by the Congress. "I am happy the Union Finance Minister has virtually adopted the Employment-linked Incentive (ELI) outlined on page 30 of the Congress Manifesto," tweeted Chidambaram. He further noted his approval of the introduction of an apprenticeship scheme with allowances for apprentices, a concept detailed on page 11 of the Congress Manifesto. <div type="twitter" handle="PChidambaram_IN" handlename="PChidambaram_IN" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1815638125168783772"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="PChidambaram_IN" handlename="PChidambaram_IN" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1815641688922063221"></div><h2><keyword id="19897159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mallikarjun-Kharge" source="keywords">Mallikarjun Kharge</keyword> highlights 10 areas the Budget 2024 went wrong</h2>The President of the Indian National Congress Karge called the <keyword id="19916814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi-Government" source="keywords">Modi Government</keyword> a "copycat" while going on to suggest that they could not even copy Congress' justice agenda properly. Here’s an English translation of his tweet: “The Modi Government's budget is distributing half-hearted "rewadis" to dupe its coalition partners so that the NDA survives. This is not a budget for "progress of the country", it is a "save Modi government" budget! 1. After 10 years, limited announcements have been made for the youth who are bearing the brunt of the slogan of two crore jobs per year. 2. Only superficial talks have been held for farmers, one and a half times MSP and doubling of income - all turned out to be electoral fraud! This government has no intention of increasing rural wages. 3. There is no revolutionary scheme for Dalits, Adivasis, backward classes, minorities, middle class and rural poor people like the one implemented by Congress-UPA. The word "poor" has become just a means of self-branding, there is nothing concrete! 4. There is nothing in this budget for women that would enhance their economic capacity and enable them to participate more and more in the workforce. 5. On the contrary, the government is patting its back on the back for rising inflation; it is robbing people of their hard-earned money and distributing it among its capitalist friends! 6. Less money has been spent on agriculture, health, education, public welfare and tribals than the budget allocation because these are not the priorities of the BJP. Similarly, Rs 1 lakh crore less has been spent on Capital Expenditure, so how will jobs increase? 7. Urban Development, Rural Development, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, MSME, Investment, EV scheme - only Document, Policy, Vision, Review etc. have been discussed, but no major announcement has been made. 8. Railway accidents are happening every day, trains have been stopped, the number of coaches has been reduced, ordinary passengers are troubled, but nothing has been said about the railways in the budget, there is no accountability. 9. Nothing has been said about Census and caste census, whereas this is the fifth budget which is being presented without Census! This is a shocking and unprecedented failure - which is against democracy and the Constitution! 10. On 20 May 2024, i.e. during the elections, Modi ji claimed in an interview that "We already have a 100-day action plan "... When the Action Plan was there two months ago, they should have at least told it in the budget! There is no plan in the budget and BJP is only busy in the action of cheating the public.” <div type="twitter" handle="kharge" handlename="kharge" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1815669463284416605"></div> <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111917247" title="Budget 2024: Can Lakhpati Didi Yojana’s reality inspire better focus on women?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>Jairam Ramesh accuses Centre of stealing ideas from the Congress</h2>In her Budget address, Sitharaman announced that the government would provide a month's wage to all first-time employees in formal sectors. This direct benefit transfer, disbursed in three installments, will cover employees registered with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and amount up to ₹15,000 per individual. The eligibility limit is set at ₹1 lakh per month, potentially benefiting 2.1 crore youth across the country. Congress MP and communications in charge Jairam Ramesh also accused the Finance Minister of taking ideas from the Congress's "Nyay Patra 2024." He claimed the internship program announced in the budget was a clear adaptation of the Congress's proposed Apprenticeship Program called "Pehli Naukri Pakki." He also insinuated that this particular scheme seemed to have been come up with in haste. <div type="twitter" handle="jairam_ramesh" handlename="jairam_ramesh" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1815714388340568111"></div>Ramesh critiqued the government's approach, describing it as a "festive offer" designed to capture headlines with arbitrary targets, such as the promise of one crore internships. He argued that the Congress's vision offered a programmatic guarantee for all diploma holders and graduates, rather than the broad and unfocused targets announced by the government. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111944393" title="Here&amp;#39;s a quick overview of PM Modi 3.0 government&amp;#39;s first budget, to be presented by FM Nirmala Sitharaman today" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Ramesh also pointedly criticised the government over a special package for Andhra Pradesh, highlighting a ₹15,000 crore allocation aimed at developing Amaravati, the state's capital city and a significant project for Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. "Why has it taken 10 years to announce that what was already committed to in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 will be implemented?" questioned Ramesh in a post on X.

From ‘Copycat’ to ‘Kursi Bachao Budget' — Here’s what Rahul and other Congress leaders had to say about Budget 2024

The first full budget of the BJP-led NDA government in its third successive term will be presented by <keyword id="19956758" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> on July 23. The government on Saturday announced the dates of the budget session of Parliament which will start on July 22 and conclude on August 12. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who will present the <keyword id="19908389" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget" source="keywords">Union Budget</keyword> 2024-25, has been holding pre-budget consultations. As part of the deliberations, she has met economists, experts in finance and capital markets, industry representatives and agriculture experts. Industry bodies, including the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), have urged the government to increase capital expenditure in the upcoming budget. This will be Sitharaman's seventh budget in a row. She will be the first Union Finance Minister to present seven consecutive union budgets. Former Prime Minister Morarji Desai had presented six budgets in a row. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiran Rijuju announced the dates of budget session. "Hon'ble President of India, on the recommendation of the Government of India, has approved the proposal for summoning of both the Houses of Parliament for the Budget Session, 2024 from 22nd July 2024 to 12 August 2024 (Subject to exigencies of Parliamentary Business). Union Budget, 2024-25 will be presented in Lok Sabha on 23 July 2024," he posted on X. The <keyword id="19916814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi-government" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Modi government" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Modi government">Modi government</keyword> had presented an interim budget in February this year. Sitharaman had announced in the interim budget that the capital expenditure outlay for the next year is being increased by 11.1 per cent to Rs 11,11,111 crore, which would be 3.4 per cent of the GDP. The government had also announced that Rs one lakh crore corpus will be established with five-year interest free loan for youth. Newly-elected Lok Sabha members took oath in the first session of 18th Lok Sabha held from June 24 to July 2 following the results of the general elections. President Droupadi Murmu addressed the joint sitting of two Houses on June 27 and both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adopted a motion of thanks on the President's address. Prime Minister Narendra Modi replied to the debate on the motion of thanks in the two Houses of Parliament. BJP-led National Democratic Alliance returned to power for the third successive term in the general elections.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman to present first budget of Modi 3.0 on July 23

As the <keyword id="19938590" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="NDA" source="keywords">NDA</keyword> is all set to form the government, <keyword id="19949381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Fitch-Ratings" source="keywords">Fitch Ratings</keyword> on Thursday said <keyword id="21935526" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coalition-politics" source="keywords">coalition politics</keyword> and a <keyword id="21957811" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="weakened-mandate" source="Orion">weakened mandate</keyword> could make it challenging to pass legislations on ambitious reforms. "We believe major reforms to land and labour laws will remain on the new government's agenda as it seeks to enhance India's manufacturing sector, but these have long been contentious and the NDA's weaker mandate will complicate their passage further. This could reduce the potential upside to India's medium-term growth prospects," <keyword id="19950093" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fitch" source="keywords">Fitch</keyword> said in a statement. The <keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bjp" source="keywords">BJP</keyword> fell short of a single-party majority in the 543-seat lower house of parliament for the first time since its latest period in government that began in 2014. But Fitch expects it to secure enough support from allied parties in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to form a government with Narendra Modi remaining Prime Minister. The outcome should support broad policy continuity, with the government continuing to prioritise infrastructure capex, improvements to the business environment, and gradual fiscal consolidation, Fitch Ratings said. "However, coalition politics and a weakened mandate could make it challenging to pass legislation on the more ambitious parts of the <keyword id="21957445" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-reform" source="keywords">government reform</keyword> agenda," it said in a detailed note post the Lok Sabha election results which were announced late on Tuesday. The NDA appears set to retain power with a narrower majority after India's recent election, following a weaker performance by its dominant member, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "We do not think that the government's losses at the ballot box will lead to substantial policy adjustments, but the post-election budget in July should provide greater clarity on its economic reform priorities and fiscal plans over the coming five years," Fitch said. It said implementation of <keyword id="20404815" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-reforms" source="keywords">economic reforms</keyword> during the first two NDA terms was mixed, but some positive measures were passed including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law and Bankruptcy Code in 2016. The government also increased public infrastructure investment significantly, helping to put India among the fastest-growing major economies in recent years, with real GDP growth reaching 8.2 per cent in the fiscal year ending March 2024 (FY24). Fitch expects growth to remain rapid at 7 per cent in current fiscal (April-March). "We expect India's medium-term growth performance to remain around our trend estimate of 6.2 per cent through FY28, despite the government's slimmer majority. The continued public capex drive to address infrastructure gaps, ongoing digitalisation efforts, and improved bank and corporate balance sheets - relative to the pre-pandemic situation - should facilitate a strong outlook for private investment," Fitch said. The rating agency expects the Production-Linked Incentives (PLI) scheme to remain intact, which will help attract FDI in target sectors, such as electronics. However, private investment has not yet accelerated meaningfully, which represents a risk for the outlook. Fitch believe land and labours laws reforms will continue to advance at the state level in some parts of the country. There is also some potential for judicial reforms that would look to lower costs and speed resolution of court cases. Weaker fiscal metrics relative to peers are a significant constraint for India's sovereign rating, which we affirmed at 'BBB-' with a Stable Outlook in January 2024. "The next government's ability to address high fiscal deficits and reduce debt will be important considerations for the rating in the next few years. "Sustained deficit reduction, particularly if underpinned by durable revenue-raising reforms, would be positive for India's sovereign rating fundamentals over the medium term," Fitch added. The government has improved its record on achieving deficit targets and has advanced fiscal consolidation gradually over the past few years. We expect this focus on gradual consolidation to broadly be sustained. The FY24 budget deficit came in at 5.6 per cent of GDP, below the revised budget estimate of 5.8 per cent (which matched Fitch's estimate). Fitch expects the 5.1 per cent deficit target for FY25 to be attained, and said government's goal of reducing the deficit to 4.5 per cent of GDP in FY26 appears increasingly achievable, although the election marginally increased risks of higher spending or slippage in capex to accommodate greater social spending.

Coalition politics, weakened mandate could make passing legislations on ambitious reforms challenging: Fitch

New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (<keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bjp" source="keywords">BJP</keyword>)-led National Democratic Alliance (<keyword id="19938590" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NDA" source="keywords">NDA</keyword>) secured a majority in the general elections, securing a third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This victory indicates continuity in policy, particularly in <keyword id="21785272" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="infrastructure-spending" source="keywords">infrastructure spending</keyword> and boosting domestic manufacturing, which are expected to support robust <keyword id="19900794" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-growth" source="keywords">economic growth</keyword>. However, the NDA's slim margin of victory and the BJP's loss of an outright majority in parliament may slow down more extensive economic and fiscal reforms, potentially impeding <keyword id="20101140" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fiscal-consolidation" source="keywords">fiscal consolidation</keyword> efforts. In fiscal 2023-24, India's real GDP accelerated to 8.2 per cent from 7.0 per cent the previous year, driven by significant gains in gross fixed capital formation as the government's infrastructure programs gained momentum, even as private consumption remained subdued. <keyword id="20227907" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Moodys" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Moody's" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Moody's">Moody's</keyword> projects India's economic strength to continue, with an anticipated real <keyword id="19972825" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GDP-growth" source="keywords">GDP growth</keyword> of around 7 per cent over the three-year period from fiscal 2023-24 to 2025-26. This growth is expected to benefit from ongoing infrastructure development and digitalization efforts. Despite this outlook, structural weaknesses pose risks to long-term growth potential. High youth unemployment and low productivity growth in the agriculture sector constrain economic expansion. The agricultural sector's modernization has been stalled by political challenges, as evidenced by the repeal of key reforms in 2021 following widespread farmer protests. Additionally, gains in manufacturing have been uneven, limiting labour force diversification away from agriculture, which still accounts for 40 per cent of total employment. Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have declined over the past three years, despite a favourable geopolitical climate amid US-China tensions. This trend suggests persistent constraints within India's investment climate. To address these challenges, further structural reforms and enhanced implementation of existing initiatives, such as the production-linked incentive schemes to promote manufacturing, calibrated liberalisation of cross-border trade, and reconsideration of labour reforms, are necessary. The government's focus on fiscal consolidation is expected to continue, but significant improvements in debt ratios and interest servicing have yet to be realised. Since the trough in fiscal 2020-21, the central government's deficit has likely narrowed for three consecutive years. The interim budget for fiscal 2024-25 projects a deficit of around 5 per cent of GDP, aiming for a 4.5 per cent deficit by fiscal 2025-26. However, India's fiscal consolidation post-pandemic has not outpaced other emerging markets in Asia-Pacific, and its fiscal and debt metrics remain weaker than those of Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and other Baa-rated peers globally. India's general government debt is projected to stabilise above 80 per cent of GDP over the next three years, compared to 70.5 per cent in fiscal 2018-19. General government interest payments are forecast to fall to around 24 per cent of general government revenue over the next two years, down from over 28 per cent in fiscal 2020-21, but still higher than the pre-pandemic ratio of less than 23 per cent. While increased budgetary allocations for infrastructure indicate an improvement in spending quality, debt servicing remains a significant portion of expenditure, reflecting ongoing constraints on fiscal flexibility. This situation underscores the need for the incoming government to balance fiscal consolidation with growth-supportive measures. The upcoming final budget for the fiscal year ending March 2025 will provide further insights into India's fiscal policy direction through 2029. As the Modi administration embarks on its third term, the focus will likely remain on sustaining economic growth while addressing the persistent <keyword id="21500054" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fiscal-challenges" source="keywords">fiscal challenges</keyword> that hinder India's long-term economic potential.

Modi 3.0 will offer policy continuity, but BJP's loss of outright majority may slow down fiscal reforms: Moody's

Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> on Tuesday announced <keyword id="20404375" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="income-tax-relief" source="keywords">income tax relief</keyword> for the <keyword id="20071167" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="middle-class" source="keywords">middle class</keyword>, a Rs 2 lakh crore outlay for <keyword id="22517841" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="job-creation-schemes" source="keywords">job creation schemes</keyword> over the next five years and a spending splurge for states run by her party's new coalition partners as she unveiled <keyword id="20509939" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi-3-0" source="keywords">Modi 3.0</keyword> government's first budget after the general elections. With rural distress and unemployment being blamed for BJP losing its majority, Sitharaman in her seventh straight budget provided Rs 2.66 lakh crore for <keyword id="20027688" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rural-development" source="keywords">rural development</keyword> and maintained spending on long-term infrastructure projects at Rs 11.11 lakh crore to boost <keyword id="19900794" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-growth" source="keywords">economic growth</keyword>. She abolished 'angel tax' for all classes of investors in startups, cut customs duty on mobile phones and gold and simplified capital gains tax. She, however, raised the securities transaction tax (STT) on futures and options of securities, which led to tanking of stock markets. "India's economic growth continues to be the shining exception (in a world that is gripped by policy uncertainties) and will remain so in the years ahead," she said. "In this budget, we particularly focus on <keyword id="19898684" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="employment" source="keywords">employment</keyword>, <keyword id="20374219" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="skilling" source="keywords">skilling</keyword>, MSMEs, and the middle class." Besides Rs 2 lakh crore provided over a five year period for schemes and initiatives to facilitate employment, skilling and other opportunities for 4.1 crore youth, "I have made a provision of Rs 1.48 lakh crore for education, employment and skilling," she said. For Bihar, where assembly elections are due next year, the finance minister announced spending of Rs 60,000 crore on infrastructure projects like expressways, power plant, heritage corridors and new airports. The support to Bihar, whose ruling party and BJP's partner JD-U has been demanding an economic package and special category status for the state, is in the form of capital projects but not subsidy or cash dole. Similarly, for Andhra Pradesh, whose ruling TDP recently joined BJP-led NDA, she allocated Rs 15,000 crore in financial aid through multilateral agencies. A similar request for support to Bihar will be expedited, she said. For the middle class, she raised standard deduction -- a flat deduction from total salary earned by an employee in a year before calculating applicable income tax rate -- by 50 per cent to Rs 75,000 and tweaked tax slabs for taxpayers opting for the new income tax regime. This will lead to taxpayers under the new tax regime -- which offers lower rates of taxes but permits limited deductions and exemptions -- saving up to Rs 17,500 in tax annually, she said. To spur employment, the Budget provided for incentives for companies, including paying for one-month salary for first-time employees, incentive at specified sale to both employee and empower with respect to their retirement fund contribution in the first four years of employment and reimbursing employers up to Rs 3,000 per month for 2 years towards EPFO contribution of each additional employee. Also, a programme to improve skills as well internship for students and subsidised loans for higher education will be provided, she said. India's official unemployment rate in urban areas is pegged at 6.7 per cent but private agencies put it at much higher levels. Buoyed by robust tax collections and a higher-than-expected dividend receipt from the Reserve Bank, Sitharaman said the government's fiscal deficit -- the difference between the total revenue earned and total expenditure -- will be trimmed to 4.9 per cent of the GDP in 2024-25, below the 5.1 per cent figure estimated in the interim budget she presented in February. She reduced gross market borrowing marginally to Rs 14.01 lakh crore. The Budget for 2024-25 fiscal (April 2024 to March 2025) allocated Rs 1.52 lakh crore for agriculture and allied sectors, aid for building 3 crore affordable housing units in urban and rural areas, provided credit support to small and medium businesses, raised small loans to Rs 20 lakh for small business, proposed setting up 12 industrial parks, and provided for setting up a Rs 1,000 crore venture capital fund for space sector.

Modi 3.0 1st Budget: Tax relief for middle class, Rs 2 lakh cr job scheme

In response to higher-than-expected tax revenue and a record surplus transfer from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Indian government is considering an 8-10% increase in <keyword id="20018917" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="capital-expenditure" source="keywords">capital expenditure</keyword> (capex) for the fiscal year 2025, according to Pantomath Group's quarterly report, "Market Kaleidoscope: Quarterly Market Insights." This adjustment could raise the capex from the previously allocated Rs 11.11 lakh crore, aiming to bolster infrastructure and economic growth. This fiscal boost comes as India reaches a historic financial milestone. The total market capitalization of all stocks listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (<keyword id="19895774" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BSE" source="keywords">BSE</keyword>) briefly surpassed $5 trillion for the first time, placing India among global giants such as the US, China, Japan, and Hong Kong. India's primary market is set for a dynamic period, with 55 companies planning to raise over Rs 68,000 crore through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). The first half of FY2025 has already seen 35 mainboard IPOs, collectively raising around Rs 32,000 crore with an average subscription rate of 61 times. The Indian market maintained a positive outlook in the first quarter of FY2025, driven by strong Q4FY24 earnings, favorable economic data, and positive global cues. Despite early June volatility following the 2024 <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword> election results, market sentiment improved with the BJP securing 272 seats and a total of 292 seats for the NDA with allied support. This political stability under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership is expected to promote long-term economic growth, with a focus on infrastructure, electric mobility, startup support, power distribution, digital privacy, and healthcare initiatives. Corporate India's performance in the March quarter of FY2024 met expectations, showing double-digit growth in net profit and single-digit revenue increases. Non-lending companies experienced moderate operating margin expansion due to favorable commodity prices and cost controls. The peaking interest rates and continuity of <keyword id="19978691" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-policies" source="keywords">government policies</keyword> are anticipated to support healthy corporate growth in FY2025. <h2>Growth to continue</h2>The government's push for increased <keyword id="20068449" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ethanol-production" source="keywords">ethanol production</keyword> targets a 20% blending by 2026, benefiting ethanol-heavy sugar companies and promoting biofuel goals. The real estate market is projected to grow significantly, requiring Rs 14 lakh crore in debt financing from 2024 to 2026. This growth will positively impact the banking and financial sectors. Major telecom operators have raised tariffs post-election, potentially improving sector financials and paving the way for sector re-rating. Major cement players are expanding through acquisitions, with an expected 6-7% compounded growth and market dominance by the top five players by March 2025. FMCG Companies expect recovery in rural business due to factors like a normal monsoon, robust crop yields, and government measures, maintaining robust rural demand. The potential roll-out of the FAME 3 Scheme to support <keyword id="19963112" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicle-sales" source="keywords">electric vehicle sales</keyword> is anticipated, with a budgetary allocation of around Rs 10,000 crore. Sectors such as auto, cement, defence, railways, consumer durables, energy, and banking are expected to outperform. Lagging sectors like IT and specialty chemicals offer value-buying opportunities at lower levels. The structural bull market for Indian equity is supported by strong domestic fundamentals and government reforms, with a positive medium- to long-term market outlook. Globally, the US market showed resilience, except for the Dow Jones. The Federal Reserve maintained interest rates at 5.25-5.50%, awaiting inflation to move towards the 2% target before considering rate cuts. The US GDP grew at 1.4% annually in Q1 2024, with mixed economic indicators highlighting both strengths and challenges. The Indian <keyword id="19926041" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IPO-market" source="keywords">IPO market</keyword> has seen significant growth, with a surge in companies seeking to list shares and a rise in capital raised. The first half of 2025 saw strong retail investor participation, reflecting confidence in India's growth prospects. Mahavir Lunawat, Managing Director, Pantomath Capital Advisors Private Limited, said, "Favourable market conditions, high liquidity, a conducive growth environment with stable interest rates, and benign inflation have facilitated a boom in the IPO market. The IPO market will experience a stronger pull post-budget. India is set to become the new equity funding frontier for global corporations." He further added. "We are on the brink of sustained, long-term momentum in the IPO market, with this year potentially becoming the best for IPOs. India's solid macroeconomic environment and promising growth prospects create an ideal backdrop for this vibrant IPO market. Additionally, there is robust participation from both domestic institutional investors and retail investors." With the Indian government's potential capex increase and the robust primary market activity, the <keyword id="19948184" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-economy" source="keywords">Indian economy</keyword> is poised for sustained growth. The upcoming period is expected to see heightened market activity, further IPOs, and economic stability, creating a conducive environment for investment and development.

India may boost FY25 capex by 8-10% amid surging revenues and record RBI surplus, says Market Kaleidoscope report

Narendra Modi, elected leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will take oath as <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s prime minister for a historic third term on Sunday evening at 7:15 PM. After a decade of full majority governance, Modi will now run a <keyword id="20018803" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coalition-government" source="keywords">coalition government</keyword>, with the Telugu Desam Party and Janata Dal (United) as key partners. Despite being in coalition, experts feel that there won't be much change in the new government's economic agenda. Economists believe that <keyword id="20509939" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Modi-3-0" source="keywords">Modi 3.0</keyword> will not slow down the reforms and to achieve the goal of Vikshit Bharat by 2047, <keyword id="20404815" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-reforms" source="keywords">economic reforms</keyword> and policy reviews need to be continued across multiple sectors, including infrastructure, labour, and manufacturing. These reforms are deemed essential to drive economic growth and development in India. "The oft-repeated target of becoming a developed country by 2047 requires far-reaching reforms in the factor market, opening up of the economy and infrastructure development and a thrust towards labour intensive manufacturing. In a coalition environment it may not be easy to carry out big bang reforms, but the thrust of incremental reforms should be in this direction," said M Govind Rao, Member, Fourteenth Finance Commission and former Director, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy. Economists have noted that spending on <keyword id="20229510" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="populist-measures" source="keywords">populist measures</keyword> will increase because of coalition politics, however, the government will continue with its focus on "<keyword id="20054650" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Made-In-India" source="keywords">Made In India</keyword>" reforms. Sectors like infrastructure and manufacturing will remain the priority of the government. "There's likely to be a swerve towards greater populist spending and some commitment of resources to states of alliance partners is also likely. But India's public finances are in relatively robust health and to be augmented by significant reserves from the RBI. India's infrastructure spending will continue apace but perhaps with greater private sector participation. Expenditure on defence modernisation and indigenisation will also undoubtedly continue" said Gautam Sen, retired political economist London School of Economics and author, Former member of the Indo-UK Roundtable and Senior Consultant UNDP. The full budget expected to be announced in July, will reflect the economic agenda of Modi 3.0. Many economists expect the Budget will likely see a spurt in welfare and support schemes mainly for farmers and poor. The Budget will indicate the policy priorities for the new coalition government and decide the growth trajectory for the next five years, On the economic front, economists have cautioned the government about the potential setbacks from a sluggish global economy and geopolitical crisis. "One constraint remains the sluggish world economy, which could suffer worse setbacks next year, though Indian growth has risen despite it. The unknown is the impact of external shocks of intensifying wars and uncertainty over energy prices" added Sen. Meanwhile, in a significant boost to the start of Modi 3.0, the Reserve Bank of India on June 7 revised upwards the <keyword id="19972825" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GDP-growth" source="keywords">GDP growth</keyword> projection for the current fiscal to 7.2 per cent from 7 per cent on rising private consumption and revival of demand in rural areas. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said estimates released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) placed India's real gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 8.2 per cent in 2023-24.

Economists expect big bang reforms to continue under Modi 3.0

<ul><li>The Ministry of Finance marked the beginning of the printing of the <keyword id="6147670" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget-2019">Budget 2019</keyword> by conducting the Halwa ceremony on Monday at New Delhi. </li><li>The Indian government will unveil the <keyword id="7190005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="interim-budget-2019">Interim Budget 2019</keyword> on February 1. </li><li>After the ceremony over 100 officials of finance ministry in India aren’t allowed to go home till the budget is reveal. </li></ul>Every year, just weeks before the Indian government presents its annual budget, it follows an unusual annual tradition of the ‘halwa’ ceremony, the making of a popular Indian dessert to mark the official kick-off of events. The Halwa Ceremony is hosted by the Finance Ministry usually held at North Block in New Delhi in the weeks leading up to the announcement budget. 
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="FinMinIndia" handlename="Ministry of Finance" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/829993628365791232/uQ29BFxq_normal.jpg" favoritecount="199" retweetcount="42" status="Halwa Ceremony was held today in North Block, New Delhi to mark the Ceremonial beginning of printing of #Budget2019… https://t.co/jX3jaiKO7q" createdat="1548051387000" id="1087232435446734848"></div>







 Here’s what the ceremony means and how it got its start- 
	<div type="Slideshow" msid="67637704" hostid="261" title="Budget Halwa: An enduring tradition that promises to keep India’s budget ‘safe and guarded’" firstImageMsid="67637941" slideCount="5"></div>

Budget Halwa: An enduring tradition that promises to keep India’s budget ‘safe and guarded’

<ul><li>The annual budget does not give the full picture of the economy. </li><li>India’s financial health is consistently masked by accounting adjustments </li><li>The government auditor has raised serious questions on credibility of India’s budget exercise.</li></ul>As Finance Minister <keyword id="42575" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arun-Jaitley">Arun Jaitley</keyword> delivers his budget speech on February 1, the world markets will be watching the fiscal deficit projection, which will show how wisely the government spends its money. Fiscal deficit is the amount by which India’s government expenses exceed the receipts. Higher the deficit, the government borrows that much more to meet its expenses. As in any household, even the government is expected to spend wisely and keep its debt in check. However, successive governments in India have doled out far more than they should have. An annual target for fiscal deficit is spelt out and exceeded every time. And even the final number hides a lot more than it reveals. The lack of transparency is a charge that has come from none other than the government auditor. “Audit noticed lack of transparency/mismatches in disclosure of deficit figures in Budget at a Glance and Annual Financial Statements,” a January 2018 report from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India said. Untold tax refunds Taxpayers often pay more than they ought to and get refunds after filing returns. This number has been increasing every year. As the CAG noted, “Though a significant amount of the gross direct tax collected in the relevant year is refunded in subsequent years, Government Finance Accounts do not include this.” 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Subsidies in the shadow India spends nearly 10% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in subsidising necessities like food, fuel, and fertiliser, among other things, for its people. However, what the government promises in the budget speech is not what the accounts show eventually, and what the books show is not the full truth. While the expenditure on subsidies is lower-than-budgeted for, there is a lot more in the shadows. “Government has adopted off-budget means of financing the subsidy arrears, thereby deferring the payment in the relevant financial year,” the CAG said. For instance, the government buys food items from farmers at a fixed price that is often more than the market price. However, the budgeted amount for this support given to farmers is much less than what the government actually ends up spending. Much of the actual cost is borne by the Food Corporation of India, a state-owned entity that buys the produce from the farmers. FCI is entitled to be repaid by the government for the excess amount that it has paid for. But then, FCI is not repaid on time and this delay in payment is not shown on the books. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 What is worse, the FCI makes up for the unpaid dues with money from the country’s small savers. “In order to cover financial requirements arising out of the subsidy arrears, FCI resorts to a number of methods in different years such as Bonds (₹13,000 crore), unsecured short term loans (₹40,000 crore), National Small Saving Funds (NSSF) Loans (₹70,000 crore) etc,” the CAG report said. Similarly, in the case of fertilisers, where the government offers subsidies to farmers, the government’s deferred dues have been piling up over the years. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Such adjustments, aside from masking the real shortfall in budget, also lead to higher interest cost, which is not plainly visible.When indulged in repeatedly, such acts of omission also cast a shadow on the credibility of the numbers put out by the government. The rise in borrowing cost and loss of credibility also weakens the rupee, making imports like crude oil, gold, and electronics costlier. The rising cost of fuel due to rise in crude oil import bill will also make necessities like food items costlier. 2019 will be a year where the government will have to appease a lot of voters by stepping up the subsidies, whereas there just isn’t enough money or room to borrow. Markets will also punish the government with higher interest on loans if it exceeds the fiscal deficit target considerably. A pinch of salt will come handy while listening to the finance minister’s speech on budget day.

Here’s how India’s finance ministers hide billions of unplanned expenses

<ul><li><keyword id="2623347" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Biocon-chief-Kiran-Mazumdar-Shaw">Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw</keyword> and former Infosys Director <keyword id="6491998" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="mohandas-pai">Mohandas Pai</keyword> told a newspaper that they were told hold back their criticism of the Modi government by an official.</li><li><keyword id="33278" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rahul-Bajaj">Rahul Bajaj</keyword>, chairman of Indian conglomerate Bajaj Group, said that the auto industry’s going through a rough patch because of lack of demand and no private investment. </li><li>Over the months, more and more stock market investors have taken to Twitter to talk about the government’s unfriendly market policies. </li><li>Adi Godrej, chairman of the Godrej group, had said that the Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is not “growth-oriented”.</li></ul>Indian companies have been betting big on PM <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>. And why not? In 2017-18, a lion’s share of <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/data-shows-bjp-bagged-92-of-corporate-donations-to-political-parties-119011701405_1.html">corporate</a> political donations went to his party, BJP. Now, they are livid. The latest to join the bandwagon of angry corporates is Kiran Mazumdar shaw who made a shocking revelation on Sunday. A government official reportedly told her not to speak of harassment by tax officials in relation to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/rip-vg-siddharthas-death-and-why-former-prime-minister-hd-deve-gowda-cried/articleshow/70464431.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">the unfortunate death of VG Siddhartha</a>, the founder of <keyword id="46195" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cafe-Coffee-Day">Cafe Coffee Day</keyword> outlets. "“He just said that ‘please don’t make such statements. Even Mohandas Pai should not. I am telling you as a friend’,” the Biocon chief told The Telegraph. Even Mohandas Pai, the former Infosys director who is currently a private investor who backs startups, chimed in. "Lots of people get such threats," he told the newspaper. Both of them have been avid supporters of Narendra Modi in the past and bitter critics of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government that ruled from 2004 to 2014. “I used to speak out always. It doesn’t matter if UPA is in power or the NDA,” Shaw said urging the corporate world to speak up. Earlier, Rahul Bajaj, the chairman of Indian conglomerate Bajaj Group. During his company’s Annual General Meeting, he spoke of the government’s role in the weak sales of the auto industry. Fall from Heavens “There is no demand and no private investment, so where will growth come from? It doesn’t fall from the heavens. The auto industry is going through a very difficult period. Cars, commercial vehicles and two-wheelers are going through a rough patch,” Bajaj added. The Budget has not cheered them either. The government imposed a tax on super rich, and <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/sebi-s-separate-fpi-registration-plan-draws-flak-from-investors-119061901134_1.html">Business Standard</a> had reported that market regulator SEBI mandated separate registrations for Foreign Portfolio Investors. The resentment against these rules is rising. The slow pace of economic growth, and their credibility isn’t helping either. Until now, corporate giants stayed out of the debate over credibility of government's growth data between <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/131-cas-respond-to-letter-from-economists-disputing-govt-gdp-data/articleshow/68463411.cms">108 economists</a> and 131 chartered accountants. But, now they are not holding back. “The government may or may not be saying this but there are clear cut markings from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, which shows a decrease in growth in the last three-to-four years. Like any government they would like to show a happy face, but reality is reality” Rahul Bajai <a href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/technology/auto/angry-rahul-bajaj-criticises-centre-for-falling-demand-private-investment-4259711.html">said.</a> Meanwhile, his son Rajiv Bajaj had said government’s policies on<a href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/technology/auto/governments-policy-on-electric-vehicles-has-left-everybody-confused-rajiv-bajaj-4252151.html"> electric vehicles</a> had left everyone confused. Complaints in chorus The Bajajs, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, and Mohandas Pai are not alone. Adi Godrej, chairman of the Godrej group, too <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/business/industry-leaders-reaction-on-budget-2019-adi-godrej-says-budget-is-not-growth-oriented-stock-market-comes-down-considerably-6940161.html">said</a> that the Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is not “growth-oriented”. <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/adi-godrej-rising-intolerance-hate-crimes-can-seriously-damage-growth-2068996">Godrej also touched upon a sensitive subject </a>saying that rising intolerance in the country is also affecting growth. Investor and author Basant Maheshwari recently took to Twitter to say, “Lowering GST and other charges on Electric Vehicles won’t create demand. There is just no infrastructure. People won’t change preferences like that plus EVs aren’t cheap. However, it will surely lead to a fresh bout of short selling in the frontline auto names? That’s all.” This is an unexpected move for top corporates who had stayed away from government bashing even during demonetisation in 2016. Clearly, the tables have now turned. Porinju Veliyath, founder and CEO of Equity Intelligence, after the Budget said, “India dreams a $5 trillion, graft-free, double-digit, free-market-driven, rule-based and liberal economy by 2025! This is very much doable, but I am afraid parts of the Budget - the direction it points, can take us back to 4% GDP growth rate!” Center of the Left Veliyath had even written a letter to his investors, explaining the poor performance of his portfolio. "Some of the budget provisions did not acknowledge the cardinal principles of a free-market economy," Veliyath said in his letter on Thursday (July 18) adding that the positives of the continuity in government <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-market-news-porinju-veliyath-blames-the-budget-for-bear-market-in-smaller-stocks/articleshow/70277012.cms">has been lost with the market unfriendly provisions in the Budget. </a> When big money backed Modi with hopes of market reform, they made a bad bet on a party whose ideology is rooted in ‘Swadeshi’, which can be loosely translated to home-grown conservatism. As the commentator and author <a href="http://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/columns/shankkar-aiyar/2019/jul/21/the-bjps-socialistic-conservatism-2006971.html">Shakar Aiyar argued recently</a>, “In popular perception, the BJP was seen as the home of right of centre economics. And the centre continues shifting to the left.” SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/rip-vg-siddharthas-death-and-why-former-prime-minister-hd-deve-gowda-cried/articleshow/70464431.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">A former Prime Minister cried on national TV for VG Siddhartha-- the untold tales of politics and privilege may die with India’s coffee baron</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cafe-coffee-day-founder-vg-siddhartha-letter-to-board-of-directors/articleshow/70443951.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Full text of the letter written by Cafe Coffee Day founder VG Siddhartha before he went missing</a>

Narendra Modi has a new problem – big corporates and moneybags are angry

When the Modi government announced its first budget in 2014-15, the government of the largest democracy had allocated Rs 1.91 trillion for infrastructure development. Growing at a breathtaking phase through the consecutive budgets of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and touching Rs 4.94 trillions in 2017-18, the infrastructure sector received a push of Rs 5.97 trillions in the budget 2018-19. For <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>’s government, infrastructure development of the country has been a prime focus area. While making his budget speech while presenting 2018-19 budget, <keyword id="42575" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arun-Jaitley">Arun Jaitley</keyword>, the Finance Minister remarked, “Our country needs massive investments estimated to be in excess of Rs 50 lakh crores in infrastructure to increase growth of GDP, connect and integrate the nation with a network of roads, airports, railways, ports and inland waterways and to provide good quality services to our people." In order to the augment the resources, the government levied a road and infrastructure cess of Rs 8 per liter on the petrol and diesel imported. Jaitley said, “The government and market regulators have taken necessary measures for development of monetizing vehicles like Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) and Real Estate Investment Trust (ReITs) in India. The government would initiate monetizing select CPSE (central public sector enterprises) assets using InvITs from next year." The latest economic survey reveals that such measures will be operationalized provided the country will face a $526 billion gap in the investment towards infrastructure development. Jaitley added, “Reserve Bank of India has issued guidelines to nudge corporates to access the bond market. Sebi (Securities and Exchange Board of India) will also consider mandating, beginning with large corporates, to meet about one-fourth of their financing needs from the bond market." Announcing the most innovative and integrated infrastructure planning model, the National Democratic Alliance government launched the country’s largest ever rail and road budget through budget 2018-19 that saw an allocation of Rs 1.48 trillion and Rs 1.21 trillion respectively. Way back while announcing the 2017-18 budget, Arun Jaitley said the cabinet had given a nod to the most ambitious Bharatmala (roads) scheme that will significantly strengthen the country’s roads network. To support this massive allocation requirement, the government said Rs 5.35 trillion as equity from the market. Jaitley’s talk emphasized that the nation required funds for some ambitious plans Sagarmala (ports) and Bharatmala to enhance its transport infrastructure to meet the growing needs of the largest democracy effectively. “To raise equity from the market for its mature road assets, NHAI will consider organizing its road assets into special purpose vehicles and use innovative monetizing structures like toll, operate and transfer (TOT) and Infrastructure Investment Funds (InvITs)," stressed Jaitley. Though the 2017-18 budget allocated Rs 73.31 crores for Airports Authority of India (AAI) from Rs 149.93 crores in 2017-18, AAI had to raise Rs 4,086 crores. While commenting on the line of budgets by the NDA government headed by Narendra Modi, Jaijit Bhattacharya, partner and head, economics and regulatory at consultancy firm KPMG remarked. “The budget demonstrates a very significant push on infrastructure, including rural infrastructure, as well as for immediate job creation as well as supporting long-term employability through education and skill development is very encouraging."

A look at budget allocation for infrastructure under the Modi government

<ul><li>The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget at 11 am today (February 1).</li><li>This would be FM Sitharaman’s third budget under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</li><li>In a historic move, the upcoming budget will be paperless as the Finance Ministry has decided not to print the budget documents amid the pandemic.</li><li>Check out the latest news and updates on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget">Budget Insider</a>.</li></ul>While the Indian economy was already reeling under the slowdown, the coronavirus blow just made it worse. And, now all eyes are eagerly waiting for the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, as she tables the budget for the next fiscal year in the Lok Sabha. The country has high hopes from the first budget that will come up immediately after a pandemic-induced nationwide lockdown that brought economic activity in the country to a grinding halt forcing the GDP to contract for the very first time in many, many years. Also, a first would be an acute recession that the country stares at and severe unemployment levels that turned from bad to worse post the lockdown. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="80596702" title="India’s travel and tourism sector is hoping that the Budget won’t leave them behind" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> With all segments of the Indian economy eagerly waiting to see if their concerns are addressed in the <keyword id="10270141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget-2021">union budget 2021</keyword>, the FM has a challenging task on her table. Though not for the first time, the Budget 2021-22 also faces severe challenges to do a tough balancing act to revive growth in the economy amidst shrinking revenue streams and need to balance expenditure and come back on the path of fiscal consolidation. The Finance Minister herself said that her third budget would be "unprecedented" as the country looks to rebuild after a pandemic-hit year. WATCH: Union Budget 2021-22: Live from Parliament <div type="Youtube" id="Q9wNIyLdZLo" title="Union Budget 2021-22: Live from Parliament" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q9wNIyLdZLo/mqdefault_live.jpg"></div> Schedule of budget 2021 The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget at 11 am on February 1, 2021, which happens to be a Monday. Ahead of the budget session, India's chief economic advisor, Krishnamurthy Subramanian <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/highlights-from-indias-annual-economic-survey-ahead-of-budget-2021/slidelist/80574947.cms">presented the economic survey on Friday</a>. This would be FM Sitharaman’s third budget under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the first tenure of the Modi government, it was decided that the union budget would be presented on the first working day of February instead of the last working day of February, which will mean the budget sessions have been advanced by a month. Since the move, the tradition has continued till date through all the government's subsequent budgets. The advancing of the date of the union budget was to ensure that the budgeting process starts in February will be completed before the end of March and the spending exercise for the next fiscal year could start on April 1. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="80476759" title="A playbook for Budget 2021 to boost electronics manufacturing in India" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Where to watch the budget session 2021 live? Here is a list of some channels where you can watch the budget session 2020 live at 11 hours on Saturday, February 1, 2020: <a href="https://loksabhatv.nic.in/">Lok Sabha Television</a>, <a href="https://webcast.gov.in/lstvlive/">Lok Sabha live webcast</a>, <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/livetv/timesnow/video">Times Now</a>, <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/livetv/etnow/video">ET Now</a>, <a href="https://aajtak.intoday.in/">Aaj Tak</a>. One can also follow <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/">Business Insider India’s live blog</a> for the latest updates. A paperless budget The upcoming budget scheduled for February 1 will go paperless as the Finance Ministry has decided not to print the budget documents amid the pandemic. This is a historic move as it will be for the first time in the history of independent India that the budget papers will not be printed. For the first time, there has been no lockdown in the finance ministry before the Budget presentation as the paperless exercise avoids the need for secrecy associated with printed documents. Usually, when the printing starts, printing staffers stay inside the press until the budget presentation. Only a few high-ranked officials are allowed access and that too on the basis of a special identity card. The special security forces man the entire facility, loading-unloading and transportation. This is not the first time that there would be a change in tradition in the presentation of the budget under Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Last year, she did away with a colonial-era tradition of carrying Budget papers in a briefcase and introduced the Budget 'Bahi Khata' or a ledger, enclosed in a red cloth folder and tied with a string. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/do-not-panic-when-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-reads-out-the-revised-estimates/articleshow/80400869.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Do not panic when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reads out the revised estimates</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/here-are-the-major-changes-that-could-reportedly-come-up-with-the-union-budget-2021-by-nirmala-sitharaman/articleshow/80325146.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Budget 2021: From Income Tax deductions to creating jobs and boosting healthcare – Here’s all that could be in Nirmala Sitharaman’s fiscal plans</a>

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Modi 3.0 1st Budget: Tax relief for middle class, Rs 2 lakh cr job scheme

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India may boost FY25 capex by 8-10% amid surging revenues and record RBI surplus, says Market Kaleidoscope report

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Economists expect big bang reforms to continue under Modi 3.0

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Budget Halwa: An enduring tradition that promises to keep India’s budget ‘safe and guarded’

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Here’s how India’s finance ministers hide billions of unplanned expenses

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Narendra Modi has a new problem – big corporates and moneybags are angry

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A look at budget allocation for infrastructure under the Modi government

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