‘Focus on GDP - Governance, Development, Performance: Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget 2024, said the focus is on the GDP of the country. She also said the governance, development and the economy were doing better.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, the Union Finance Minister in her budget speech said, "An exemplary track record of governance, development and performance, besides delivering on high growth, in terms of Gross Domestic Product, the government is equally focussed on a more comprehensive GDP - that is Governance, Development, and Performance."

"Our government has provided transparent, accountable, people-centric, and prompt, trust-based administration, with citizen first, and minimum government, maximum governance approach," the Finance Minister said.

"The impact of all-round development is discernible in all sectors."

"There is macro-economic stability, including in the external sector. The economy is doing well," she said, adding, "People are living better and earning better, with greater aspirations for the future."

"Average real income of people has increased by 50 per cent, inflation is moderate and people are being enabled to pursue their aspirations," the Finance Minister said.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the Interim Budget 2024.

PM Modi chaired the cabinet meeting ahead of the Interim Budget presentation in Parliament.

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This was Sitharaman's sixth Budget as the Finance Minister and last in the second term of the Modi government, as the Lok Sabha polls are due to be held this year.

The Budget Session of Parliament commenced on Wednesday with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Sitharaman equalled the record of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who, as finance minister, presented five annual budgets and one interim budget between 1959 and 1964.