BUDGET LIVE | FM proposes health reforms; emphasises Viksit Bharat
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday (February 1) is presenting the Modi 2.0 government's last Budget before the general elections, which is likely to contain a mix of measures for the economy and electorally significant segments like farmers and women.
Peppered with political innuendos, her sixth straight Budget may present a political document with a snapshot of the Modi government's triumphs over the last 10 years and pointers to how it wants to take the country forward.
With pressure for populist measures off after recent emphatic wins in three states, she is expected to stick to being fiscally prudent while sprinkling sops on sectors like agriculture and engines of the economy that would create jobs and boost consumption.
To watch the Budget presentation live, at 11 am, click here.
Click here for The Federal's extensive coverage of Interim Budget 2024-25.
Live Updates
- 1 Feb 2024 10:03 AM IST
Sitharaman to match Morarji Desai's record
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her sixth straight Budget ahead of the Parliamentary elections, matching the record of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai.
Sitharaman, who would be presenting her sixth straight budget, had in her first Budget in 2019 replaced the leather briefcase — which had been in use for decades for carrying budget documents — with a traditional “bahi-khata” wrapped in red cloth. This year’s Budget will be in paperless form, as done in the last three years.
(With agency inputs)
- 1 Feb 2024 9:58 AM IST
Markets turn highly volatile after firm opening ahead of Budget
Benchmark equity indices began the trade on an optimistic note on Thursday but later faced heavy volatile trends ahead of presentation of interim Budget.
The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 248.4 points to 72,000.51 in early trade after beginning the day on a positive note. The Nifty went up by 62.65 points to 21,788.35.
Later, both the benchmark indices hit choppy waters and were trading between highs and lows.
Among the Sensex firms, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti, Power Grid, NTPC, IndusInd Bank and Sun Pharma were the biggest gainers.
Larsen & Toubro, Titan, Bajaj Finserv and JSW Steel were the major laggards.
Goods and Services Tax collections jumped 10.4 per cent to over Rs 1.72 lakh crore in January, reflecting buoyant economic activity and setting the stage for the next phase of GST reforms.
The Sensex jumped 612.21 points or 0.86 per cent to settle at 71,752.11 on Wednesday. The Nifty climbed 203.60 points or 0.95 per cent to 21,725.70.
(With PTI inputs)
