Headlines
Jaitley assures reforms as he unveils India's national budget

New Delhi, Feb 29 Finance Minister Arun Jaitley began presenting India's national budget for the next fiscal in the Lok Sabha on Monday, saying India remained a bright spot of the global economy while assuring continuity in reforms along with fiscal discipline.
"I am presenting the budget when the global economy is in crisis," Jaitley said in his opening remarks, adding that India, however, remained the bright spot in this gloom, turning difficulties into opportunities.
He said India's growth has expanded 7.5 percent, despite slowdown in exports, even as inflation had eased, bringing big relief to the general public. He also said foreign exchange reserves were robust. "Indian growth is at an extraordinary high."
Jaitley said his budget will look at three pillars in right earnest: A prudent fiscal policy, raise domestic demand and carry out reforms. He also said farm, rural sector, infrastructure and social sector will be allotted more money.
"Recapitalization of banks also to be done during next fiscal year," he said, as much concern have emerged over the quantum of exposure of Indian scheduled banks in terms of gross non-productive assets, re-cast loans and write-offs, which amounts to Rs.9.5 lakh crore.
He said the nine pillars of this year's budget will be: agriculture, social programmes, rural development, education with skill development, infrastructure, financial reforms, policy reforms in terms of ease of doing business, fiscal discipline and tax reforms.
"A unified agriculture platform to be dedicated to the nation on the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Amebdkar," the finance minister said, amid applause from the benches.

3 hours ago
Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill-2025 after lengthy deliberations in Rajya Sabha

6 hours ago
John Brittas MP Slams BJP During Rajya Sabha Debate on Waqf Bill

7 hours ago
Breathing difficulty: Former Minister M. M. Mani hospitalized.

8 hours ago
World Rat Day: Do you know this interesting fact about rats? This is the reason why this day is celebrated!

8 hours ago
CMRL-Exalogic financial transaction: Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs grants permission to prosecute Veena Vijayan.

14 hours ago
US Commerce Secy Lutnick evades India tariff question post Trump's announcement

14 hours ago
Siv Panicker wins as Plainfield Village Trustee in Illinois

14 hours ago
USCIS Updates Policy Manual to Recognize Only Two Biological Sexes: Male and Female

15 hours ago
Dr. Nandita Shah Empowers Audiences to Reverse Chronic Diseases Through Food in Transformative Full-Day Wellness Seminar

15 hours ago
Lt. Governor Aruna Miller Hosts the First Substance Use Awareness Rally In Annapolis

18 hours ago
Akshay Kumar fights against British Empire post Jallianwala Bagh massacre in ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ trailer

18 hours ago
Divya Pillai plays Annie Benjamin in Mammootty’s ‘Bazooka’

18 hours ago
Yami Gautam shares a beautiful moment from her wedding with the ‘Raja Babu of her life’