All posts tagged: fiscal consolidation

Lok Sabha Speaker under pressure from BJP: Women Congress MPs| India News

Lok Sabha Speaker under pressure from BJP: Women Congress MPs| India News

The debate on the Union Budget in the Rajya Sabha on Monday opened with a scathing attack by senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, who listed four major economic challenges —stalled capital investment, rising unemployment, slowing growth, and weak fiscal consolidation — and accusing the government of being disconnected from ground realities and presenting what he termed a “forgettable” Budget. Congress leader P Chidambaram accused the government of being disconnected from ground realities and presenting what he termed a “forgettable” Budget (PTI) Chidambaram questioned whether the government had even read the Economic Survey, saying, “The most charitable view is that they don’t care for the Chief Economic Adviser. The uncharitable view is that while the Chief Economic Adviser is bringing the government down to earth, the ministers want to soar high and reach another planet as if we are not living on earth.” On the first challenge—capital investment, Chidambaram said gross fixed capital formation has remained stuck at 30% of GDP for nearly 12 years, while private investment, despite companies being cash-rich, is stagnant at 22%. …

India budget ‘tactical’, not ‘breakthrough’, Moody’s Ratings says| India News

India budget ‘tactical’, not ‘breakthrough’, Moody’s Ratings says| India News

India’s annual federal budget was “tactical” but not a “breakthrough”, Moody’s Ratings said in its reaction to a government roadmap for the next financial year. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman shows the digital tablet, enclosed in a traditional red ‘bahi-khata’ style pouch, at the Parliament premises before presenting of the �Union Budget 2026-27�, in New Delhi, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (PTI) Planned fiscal consolidation, which will bring the budget gap to 4.3% from 4.4% in the current year, will not change India’s credit profile, Christian de Guzman, senior vice president at Moody’s Ratings, told Reuters. “(Despite India’s) lengthening track record of deficit consolidation or fiscal discipline, this deficit is still wider than what it was prior to COVID,” Guzman said. “We haven’t seen the fiscal metrics improve sufficiently enough to actually change the credit profile,” he said. The economy is forecast to grow 7.4% in the current financial year, with inflation likely to be near 2%. The fiscal deficit for the year is set to be 4.4% of gross domestic product. Also Read | No big …

The Union Budget 2025: Aligning fiscal priorities with growth and sustainability

The Union Budget 2025: Aligning fiscal priorities with growth and sustainability

Every year, the Union Budget allows the government to outline its priorities, chart a pathway for growth, and manage revenues and expenditures across critical sectors. In the upcoming Budget, the government is expected to continue its post-Covid fiscal consolidation, balancing growth-oriented measures with an infrastructure push while maintaining its focus on the green transition. This alignment is critical, as sustainable initiatives, such as investments in renewable energy and green infrastructure, not only address climate goals but also catalyse economic growth and job creation, creating a mutually reinforcing cycle between fiscal prudence and environmental responsibility. PREMIUM Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman carrying the Budget tablet wrapped in a traditional ‘Bahi Khata’ style pouch, last year. ( (ANI Photo/Rahul Singh)) Need for a revisit in current fiscal management strategy: Post-Covid-19, despite increased capital expenditure (capex) levels, the government typically utilises close to 60% of the budgeted capex by November every year. Notably, only 46.2% of budgeted capex is spent this year. Additionally, capex targets are revised downwards for the past two years with significant variations in the …