Union Budget: FM charts growth roadmap with focus on Agri, MSMEs, investment and exports

NEW DELHI: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, detailed the roadmap for India’s continued economic expansion, placing emphasis on agriculture, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), investment, and exports.

She stated that strategic reforms in these sectors will serve as catalysts for job creation, self-reliance, and enhanced global competitiveness. She emphasized that the budget is dedicated to accelerating growth and driving India’s aspirations towards becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).

She highlighted that India’s economy remains the fastest-growing among major global economies, reinforcing the country’s resilience and potential on the world stage. In her address to the Parliament, Sitharaman underscored that the budget focuses on four key pillars — Garib (poor), Youth, Annadata (farmers), and Nari (women) — ensuring inclusive growth and socio-economic upliftment across all sections of society.

Viksit Bharat encompasses
-Zero poverty
-100% quality, good school education
-Access to quality, affordable &comprehensive healthcare
-100% skilled labour with meaningful employment
-70% women in economic activities farmers making India food basket of world: FM @nsitharaman… pic.twitter.com/MF1rchkHev

— DD News (@DDNewslive) February 1, 2025

She said, “This budget is dedicated to accelerating growth, driven by our aspirations for a ‘Viksit Bharat.’ Our economy remains the fastest growing among all major economies.” The budget aims to initiate transformative reforms across various domains, including- taxation, power, urban development, mining, financial sector.

Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated that India’s economic trajectory over the past decade, coupled with structural reforms, has drawn global attention. With rising investor confidence and increasing global partnerships, she emphasized that the next five years present a unique opportunity to achieve Sabka Vikas — ensuring balanced development across all regions and sectors.

“Our economy is the fastest-growing among all major global economies. Our development track record of the past 10 years and structural reforms have drawn global attention. Confidence in India’s capability and potential has only grown in this period. We see the next five years as a unique opportunity to realize ‘Sabka Vikas’, stimulating balanced growth of all regions”, she stated.

Quoting renowned Telugu poet and playwright Gurajada Apparao, the minister emphasized that a country is not just its land but its people. With this philosophy, the government’s vision for Viksit Bharat (Developed India) includes:

Eradicating poverty

Ensuring 100% quality education for children

Providing affordable and comprehensive healthcare

Developing a skilled workforce with meaningful employment

Increasing women’s participation in the economy to 70 per cent

Strengthening India’s agricultural sector to make it the “food basket of the world”

The budget sets a clear path for India’s growth, focusing on economic empowerment, industrial progress, and societal well-being. With a strong track record and ambitious targets, the government is determined to drive the nation toward greater prosperity in the coming years. (ANI)