
Union Budget 2021: Govt sets divestment target of Rs 1.75 tn, after big misses in recent years
A sharp jump in capital expenditure points to a preference to solidify medium-term growth boost while also entailing larger multiplier benefits for the economy

Union Budget 2021: FM gives major focus to infra, health; to boost economy through multiplier effect
While the high fiscal deficit would not be credit positive for international credit agencies, in the current environment, it would have been impossible to push the growth without fiscal destabilization in the short to medium term

Union Budget 2021: Nirmala Sitharaman provides relief to almost all; home buyers, pensioners, employees, among others
Be it entrepreneurs or MSMEs and tax payers, everyone has been given a cushion

Union Budget 2021: Slashed funds for NREGA, Poshan Abhiyan 2.0, elderly pensions reflect poorly on Centre
The biggest hoodwink is the starved Poshan Abhiyan 2.0, which though merges the Supplementary Nutrition Programme and the Poshan Abhiyan, has been allocated an amount less than what was prescribed for Anganwadi services in 2020

80% of India's informal workers lost jobs during COVID lockdown, 63% survived on two meals a day, shows data
Government needs to take action regarding job security, social security benefits, food security, health benefits, and safety in the informal sector in such a way that it not only manages the current crisis, but also immunises the sector from future shocks

Union Budget 2021: Govt's great land sales idea needs a process-oriented transparent approach
It is important that money coming from land sales be allocated towards specific infrastructure projects, preferably in the very state where land is being sold.

Union Budget 2021: PLI scheme for 13 manufacturing sectors will includue firms in global supply chains
Most of the key announcements from the Budget are in line with the central theme of ‘Aspirational India, Economic Development, A Caring Society’.

Union Budget 2021: Social security for gig workers will nurture risk appetite in workers, say experts
The gig economy is a free market system in which temporary positions are common and organisations hire independent workers for short-term commitments

Union Budget 2021: Economists say problems of inequitable growth not addressed
Brokerage company Nomura's India head Prabhat Awasthi said that the Budget was not populist because there is "no major attempt to redistribute incomes by increasing taxes on high income groups"

Union Budget 2021: Air India disinvestment to be completed in 2021-22; aviation ministry allotted Rs 3,224 cr
Sitharaman's announcement on completing Air India's disinvestment in 2021-22 is significant as the Modi government's first attempt in 2018 to sell 76 percent stake in the national carrier was unsuccessful

Union Budget 2021: Banking, health, infra sectors welcome announcements; hospitality, tourism regret lack of immediate support
Hospitality and Tourism roughly account for 10 percent of India's GDP and employ nearly 9 percent of India's working population and yet, it failed to find space in the Union Budget, FHRAI vice-president Gurbaxish Singh Kohli said

Budget 2021: Blueprint for economic recovery; will make India attractive for investments
The government played it safe by not making any announcements with respect to the inclusion of petroleum products under GST

Union Budget 2021: Women and Child Development Ministry's budget hiked by 16% to Rs 24,435 crore
Out of Rs 24,435 crore, the highest amount has been allocated to the newly announced Saksham Anganwadi and Mission Poshan 2.0 scheme with Rs 20,105 crore

Union Budget 2021: BJP leaders hail 'forward-looking' announcements; 'visionless document', says Opposition
Financial experts and industry leaders broadly welcomed the Budget, taking particular note of announcements on road development, taxation and health

Union Budget 2021: Fiscal deficit estimated at 9.5% of GDP for this year, 6.8% for 2021-22
The lockdown to check the spread of the coronavirus adversely impacted the economic activities resulting in a contraction in the economy by an estimated 7.7 percent

Union Budget 2021: Facilitation of collateral-free capital, ease of compliances key for economy
The pandemic has impacted all sectors and most of them are now limping back to normalcy

Union Budget 2021: Manufacturing sector expects tax reforms, support for expansion of distribution, supply chain
As India moves ahead on its growth trajectory, with partial recovery from COVID-19, a strong impetus in manufacturing through the Union Budget 2021 is crucial

Budget 2021 will be starting point for economic recovery after COVID-19 pandemic, say experts
The Budget is widely expected to focus on boosting spending on job creation and rural development, generous allocations for development schemes, putting more money in the hands of the average taxpayer, and easing rules to attract foreign investments

Upcoming Budget to be part of series of ‘mini Budgets’ that FM gave in 2020, says Narendra Modi
The prime minister expressed confidence that MPs will not shy away from contributing to make full use of Parliament for fulfilling people's aspirations

Union Budget 2021: Digitisation key to solving stumbling blocks in logistics sector
There is a pressing need for a complete digital transformation of the industry to handle international shipments efficiently