Finance Minister Sitharaman Meets President Ahead of Historic Budget Presentation

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman meets President Droupadi Murmu ahead of the Union Budget 2024 presentation. Sitharaman prepares for her seventh consecutive budget, setting a record. The budget focuses on tax structure changes and business improvements. Economic survey projects 7% medium-term growth for India.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met President Droupadi Murmu ahead of presenting the Union Budget 2024 in Parliament, following tradition. Sitharaman and her team briefed the President on the budget's provisions.

President Murmu wished Sitharaman good luck by feeding her 'Curd and Sugar.' The Finance Minister then attended a Cabinet meeting before heading to Parliament. Documents for the 2024 Union Budget and Jammu & Kashmir's budget also arrived at the Parliament.

Sitharaman, who is set to present her seventh consecutive budget, surpassing Moraji Desai's record, departed the North Block with the digital format of the budget. Accompanied by her team, she posed with the red 'Bahi Khatha' digital tablet before leaving for Rashtrapati Bhavan.

This budget is expected to focus on income tax reforms and improving business conditions in India. Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, stated that the budget would align with the mantra 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas'.

The Parliament's budget session began on July 22 and will conclude on August 12. The economic survey projected 7% medium-term growth for India, stressing the need for a tripartite agreement among the Union Government, State Governments, and the private sector.

The survey highlighted global trends like geo-economic fragmentation, self-reliance, climate change, and technological advancements as both opportunities and challenges. It recommended a focus on bottom-up reforms to sustain inclusive growth.

The survey identified six critical areas for growth during 'Amrit Kaal', including private investment, MSME expansion, agriculture, green financing, addressing the education-employment gap, and building state capacity.