Four key pillars of Budget: Poor, youth, farmers and women
New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her budget speech that the government sees the next five years as a unique opportunity to realise development for all (Sabka Vikas) to stimulate balanced growth of all regions. The Finance Minister remarked that India's development track record for the past 10 years and structural reforms have drawn global attention.
Presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, the Finance Minister 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.
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 uplift across all sections of society. The budget aims to initiate transformative reforms across various domains, including taxation, power, urban development, mining, and the financial sector.
Addressing the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said, "Our economy is the fastest growing among all major economies. Our development track record for 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 5 years as a unique opportunity to realise sabka vikas, stimulating balanced growth of all regions."
Sitharaman stated that this budget proposes development measures in around 10 broad areas that focus on the poor, youth, farmers and women.
"In this Budget, the proposed development measures span 10 broad areas, focussing on the poor, youth, farmers and women," she said.
The Union Finance Minister further announced a Nuclear Energy Mission to drive India's transition towards clean energy in line with the goal of achieving the resolution of Vikshit Bharat (developed India).
To facilitate greater private sector participation, amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act will be introduced. Additionally, a dedicated research and development initiative for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) will be launched with an outlay of Rs 20,000 crore. As part of this mission, at least five indigenously developed SMRs are expected to be operational by 2033.
She emphasized that the budget is dedicated to accelerating growth and driving India's aspirations towards becoming a 'Viksit Bharat'.
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."
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 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, and 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)
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