NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented to Parliament on February 1, what she called, the first Budget of ‘Amrit Kaal’ guided by seven priorities or ‘Saptarishis’.
The FM enumerated these priorities as Inclusive Development, Reaching the Last Mile, Infrastructure and Investment, Unleashing the Potential, Green Growth, Youth Power and Financial Sector.
This was also the last Budget of the Narendra Modi Government before the next year’s General Elections and it encapsulated the Government’s growth journey since it came to power in 2014.
Better quality of life
Presenting the Union Budget 2023-24, the Finance Minister said, “The Government’s efforts since 2014 have ensured for all citizens a better quality of living and a life of dignity.”
This Budget, she said, “hopes to build on the foundation laid in the previous Budget, and the blueprint drawn for India@100. We envision a prosperous and inclusive India, in which the fruits of development reach all regions and citizens, especially our youth, women, farmers, OBCs, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.”
The FM also talked of the wide-ranging reforms undertaken by the Government which, she said, had been implemented through Sabka Prayas resulting in Jan Bhagidari and targeted support to those in need. These, she said, “helped us perform well in trying times.”
Rising global stature
India’s rising global profile, she said, “is because of several accomplishments: unique world-class digital public infrastructure, e.g., Aadhaar, CoWin and UPI; Covid vaccination drive in unparalleled scale and speed; proactive role in frontier areas such as achieving the climate related goals, mission LiFE, and National Hydrogen Mission.” In the Budget proposals, Sitharaman announced several new schemes to promote infrastructure development, make agriculture more sustainable, build skills of workforce, spur tourism, green growth and green mobility.
