Budget 2023: Nirmala Sitharaman Full Speech I Live Coverage I

Modi government’s last full budget before the general elections in 2024 is likely to be a tight ropewalk. The Finance Minister will have to balance fiscal prudence and spending. Global headwinds including a global slowdown and Russia-Ukraine war are not making things easy for emerging economies. While the economic survey released today is projecting a growth rate of 6-6.8%, the essential question the budget will have to address is where is this growth going to come from? Experts point out India is counting on domestic consumption to spur spending, but a populace reeling under the twin burden of inflation and unemployment might need encouragement in the form of revised tax slabs and more cash in hand through direct transfers - both things that the government might want to avoid to balance the macros. The crucial question is how’s the finance minister going to do it. Join as we cover Modi government’s last full budget.