The Narendra Modi government is working towards making India a Viksit (Advanced) Bharat by 2047, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Thursday morning as she read out the 2024 Interim Budget in a special session of Parliament. Ms Sitharaman, presenting her sixth straight account of the country’s finances, also underlined the government’s resolve to work towards an economic and social development model that is “all round, all inclusive, and all pervasive”.
“Our young country has high aspirations, pride in the present, and hope and confidence in its bright future…” the Finance Minister said as she stood up to deliver her speech.
Overall, there are muted expectations from this budget since it comes less than three months before a general election in which Mr Modi’s BJP is expected to win a third consecutive term. However, there is hope among the salaried middle class of a revision in income tax slabs and an overall anticipation the government will do something to boost job creation.
