Budget 2024: Sitharaman’s strategic moves to tackle deep-seated problems and create formal jobs

Presenting India Today Insight: Sharp analysis on topical issues by the editors of India Today magazine. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO INDIA TODAY MAGAZINE Save 37% with our annual Digital+Print offer just for ₹3299 Budget 2024: Why Sitharaman looked beyond quick-fixes to deep-seated problems, strove to boost formal jobs That jobs were a priority was no surprise; and by tightening the fiscal deficit to 4.9 per cent of the GDP, the government has shown its intention of continuing on the path of fiscal prudence By M G Arun INFRASTRUCTURE Eye on momentum, Budget 2024 keeps infrastructure spending on course Key sectors, such as railways, highways, and ports, shipping and waterways, have received steady capex hikes but the overall approach is to prioritise ongoing projects By Avishek G. Dastidar DEFENCE Modernisation plans shine in otherwise marginal defence sector hike In the Rs 6.2 lakh crore defence budget, 75 per cent of the modernisation outlay, amounting to Rs 1.05 lakh crore, has been earmarked for procurement through domestic industries By Pradip R. Sagar EDUCATION Opening a new chapter in education The Budget puts a marked focus on education, jobs and skilling, with Rs 1.25 lakh crore earmarked for the education sector alone By India Today Research Bureau AGRICULTURE How farming challenges from climate change will be met The Budget raises hope of relevant cropping to spur productivity but farmer leaders say rising cost inputs a sore point By Amarnath K. Menon HEALTH Union Budget 2024 makes cancer battle friendlier; raw deal for mental healthcare Experts hope the marginal increase in health sector allocation will translate into higher public spending reducing out-of-pocket expenditure of individuals By Sonali Acharjee BIHAR Why Budget 2024 is a mixed bag for Bihar Rejection of the special status demand and the absence of a major grant have caused disappointment and exposed Nitish Kumar to Opposition’s barbs By Amitabh Srivastava FROM THE ARCHIVES (2014): ARUN JAITLEY Budget 2014: Staid and sturdy with Arun Jaitley How the Modi government’s first budget had crafted a grand economic recovery plan, riding on finance minister Jaitley’s expertise By Jyoti Malhotra Subscribe to the India Today Magazine Explore interesting insights! Follow our WhatsApp Channel for the exclusive stories and engaging content! Click here to follow us