Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is gearing up to present the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament, marking a historic day according to the BJP. Meanwhile, the Congress emphasizes the need for a budget that addresses ground-level realities.
Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Arun Sao, views the upcoming budget as a significant step towards a developed India by 2047. He expects a budget that aligns with the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ and promotes inclusive growth across various sectors.
In contrast, Congress MP Sukhdev Bhagat stresses the importance of reflecting ground realities in the budget. He highlights the persistence of unemployment despite GDP growth mentioned in the economic survey. Bhagat calls for a focus on health and education sectors, emphasizing the need for tangible benefits for the common people.
Finance Minister Sitharaman, ahead of her ninth consecutive Budget presentation, met with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This milestone makes her the first woman finance minister to achieve such a feat, adding significance to the upcoming budget announcement.
Amidst domestic and global economic challenges, Sitharaman’s budget is expected to strike a balance between fiscal prudence and growth sustainability. The budget aims to address uncertainties like volatile commodity prices and geopolitical tensions while focusing on infrastructure development and employment generation.
Economists anticipate a budget emphasizing defence, infrastructure, capital expenditure, power, and affordable housing. The government is likely to introduce measures to stimulate consumption while maintaining fiscal discipline, with the fiscal deficit projected to ease to 4.4 per cent for FY26.
