NEW DELHI: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday unveiled a Budget that sought to keep the momentum of economic recovery going with a 35% increase in government spending on asset creation. The Budget, which left income tax rates and slabs unchanged and was bereft of populist promises despite coming ahead of assembly polls, appears to be banking on growth.
Sitharaman told reporters the PM’s message was clear: “No additional taxes” during the pandemic. If the content of the Budget was an intended booster shot, its focus was unmistakably digital with the use of tech to ensure prompt and targeted delivery running as a constant theme through much of her speech. It also marked a bold move into ‘sunrise’ spheres: green technology, AI, semi-conductors and drones.
