Interim Budget 2024-2025
Speech of Nirmala Sitharaman
Minister of Finance
February 1, 2024
Hon'ble Speaker,
I present the Interim Budget for 2024-25.
Introduction
1. The Indian economy has witnessed profound positive transformation in the last ten years. The people of India are looking ahead to the future with hope and optimism.
2. With the blessings of the people, when our Government under the visionary and dynamic leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, the country was facing enormous challenges. With 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' as its 'mantra', the Government overcame those challenges in right earnest. Structural reforms were undertaken. Pro-people programmes were formulated and implemented promptly. Conditions were created for more opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. The economy got a new vigour. The fruits of development started reaching the people at scale. The country got a new sense of purpose and hope. Naturally, the people blessed the Government with a bigger mandate.
3. In the second term, our Government under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister doubled down on its responsibilities to build a prosperous country with comprehensive development of all people and all regions. Our Government strengthened its 'mantra' to 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Vishwas'. Our development philosophy covered all elements of inclusivity, namely,
- social inclusivity through coverage of all strata of the society, and
- geographical inclusivity through development of all regions of the country.
4. With the 'whole of nation' approach of 'Sabka Prayas', the country overcame the challenge of a once-in-a-century pandemic, took long strides towards 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', committed to 'Panch Pran', and laid solid foundations for the 'Amrit Kaal'. As a result, our young country has high aspirations, pride in its present, and hope and confidence for a bright future. We expect that our Government, based on its stupendous work, will be blessed again by the people with a resounding mandate.
Inclusive Development and Growth
5. Our humane and inclusive approach to development is a marked and deliberate departure from the earlier approach of 'provisioning up-to-village level'. Development programmes, in the last ten years, have targeted each and every household and
individual, through 'housing for all', 'har ghar jal', electricity for all, cooking gas for all, bank accounts and financial services for all, in record time.
6. The worries about food have been eliminated through free ration for 80 crore people. Minimum support prices for the produce of 'Annadata' are periodically increased appropriately. These and the provision of basic necessities have enhanced real
income in the rural areas. Their economic needs could be addressed, thus spurring growth and generating jobs.
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