Global economic environment a concern with inflation becoming an issue across the world, says Economic Survey 2021-22, tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament.
On development front, 33% Indians want agriculture to be top focus while 31% prefer roads & highways to be the key area, the survey says, adding 47% seek health focus on social front.
FM Sitharaman is likely to raise NHAI capex, but its borrowings from external sources will be curtailed. Highways asset monetisation's plans are on track.
Budget should offer immediate relief to people worst hit during pandemic, focus on public investment in infrastructure, continue disinvestment plans for PSUs.
Budget could also look at tax rebates to stimulate housing demand, raising standard deduction, getting rid of redundant stock market taxes to encourage households to invest.
In the first paperless Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said there will be 100% electrification of broad gauge rail tracks by December 2023.
Modi govt may have to strike a fine balance between health finance and economic reality even as the pandemic has tested the capacity of Indian health system.
Nitish Kumar has mastered the rhythm of renewal in Bihar. In a democracy of churn and chance, endurance may be the rarest—and most refined—form of political art.
While the move could free up grid capacity struggling to keep up with rapid renewable rollout, it would be a major setback for green ambitions. India aims to double clean power capacity to 500 gigawatts by the end of the decade.
This world is being restructured and redrawn by one man, and what’s his power? It’s not his formidable military. It’s trade. With China, it turned on him.
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