PrintFriendly
PM addresses at ‘Journey Towards Viksit Bharat: A Post Union Budget 2024-25
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the inaugural session of ‘Journey Towards Viksit Bharat: A Post Union Budget 2024-25 Conference’ organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry ) at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on 30 July 2024. The conference aims to present the outline for the Government’s larger vision for growth and the industry’s role. More than 1000 participants from industry, government, the diplomatic community and think tanks among others attended the conference in person while many connected from the various CII centers across the country and overseas.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the nation can never fall back when its citizens have achieved stability in every aspect of life and are filled with enthusiasm. He expressed gratitude towards the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for inviting him to address the occasion.
Putting forth some facts from the recently presented Budget, the Prime Minister compared the current Budget of Rs 48 Lakh Crore with the Rs 16 Lakh Crore Budget of 2013-14, an increase of three times. Capital Expenditure, the biggest measure of resource investment was 90 thousand crore rupees in 2004, which was taken to 2 lakh crore in the 10 years upto 2014, a 2 times increase. In comparison, this important indicator has reached beyond Rs 11 Lakh crore today a more than 5 times increase.
Record increase in every sector’s budget
Reiterating that his government is determined to look after every sector of the Indian economy, the Prime Minister said, “If you will look at different sectors, you will get an idea as to how India is focussing on each one of them.” Drawing a comparison with the previous government, Shri Modi said in the last 10 years, the budgets of railways and highways have seen an increase of 8 times. Meanwhile, the agricultural and defence budgets have witnessed a jump of more than 4 and 2 times, respectively.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the record increase in every sector’s budget has been carried out after record deductions in tax. The Prime Minister informed, “In 2014, MSMEs earning Rs 1 crore had to pay presumptive tax, now MSMEs with income up to Rs 3 crore can also take advantage of this. In 2014, MSMEs earning up to Rs 50 crore had to pay 30 percent tax, today this rate is 22 percent. In 2014, companies used to pay 30 percent corporate tax, today this rate is 25 percent for companies with income up to Rs 400 crore.”
25 crore people have risen out of poverty
“Nation is moving forward with the resolutions of Viksit Bharat”, PM Shri Modi said as he mentioned that 25 crore people have risen out of poverty in the last 10 years, and emphasized the government’s efforts to increase ease of living and boost quality of life.
The Prime Minister said that the government is highly focused on skill development and employment keeping in mind Industry 4.0 standards. The Prime Minister gave examples of Mudra Yojna, Startup India and Stand Up India campaigns, and informed that more than 8 crore people have started new businesses. He stated that India is home to 1.40 lakh startups employing lakhs of youth. Referring to the much-praised PM Package worth Rs 2 lakh crore in this year’s budget, the Prime Minister said that it will benefit more than 4 crore youth.
Commitment of ‘Nation First’
The Prime Minister said that the government’s intent and commitment are very clear and there is no diversion in its direction. The Commitment of ‘Nation First’ is reflected in the 5 trillion dollar economy goal, saturation approach, emphasis on Zero Effect-Zero Defect and pledge of Aatmnirbhar Bharat or Viksit Bharat. He highlighted the focus and emphasis on expansion and monitoring of schemes.
The Prime Minister touched upon the aspect of manufacturing in the Budget. He mentioned Make in India and simplification of FDI rules in various sectors along with multi-purpose logistics parks, PLI for 14 sectors. This Budget has announced plug-and-play investment-ready investment parks for 100 districts of the country. “These 100 cities will become new hubs of Viksit Bharat”, he added.
MSMEs
Sharing his government’s vision to empower the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Prime Minister said they have addressed the challenges faced by them along with providing them with the required facilities.
Bhu-Aadhar card
The Prime Minister underlined some points in the budget such as increased allocation for nuclear power generation, Digital Public Infrastructure for agriculture, Bhu-Aadhar card for providing number to land parcels of farmers, Rs 1000 crore venture capital fund for space economy, Critical Mineral Mission, and upcoming auction of offshore blocks for mining. “These new announcements will open new avenues of progress”, he said.
Sunrise sectors
Highlighting that opportunities are being created, especially in the sunrise sectors as India is on the onset of becoming the third-largest economy in the world, the Prime Minister expressed the need to make a name in the Semiconductor Value Chain to play a crucial role in the future. Therefore, the Prime Minister said, the government is laying emphasis on promoting the semiconductor industry.
Aspirations of the country and its citizens are paramount
The Prime Minister stressed “Our government has no lack of political will. For us, the aspirations of the country and its citizens are paramount.” Calling India’s private sector a strong medium for creating a Viksit Bharat, the Prime Minister said that wealth creators are the main driving force of India’s growth story. He said India’s policies, commitment, determination, decisions and investments are becoming the basis of global progress.
Highlights
• “Today we are discussing – journey towards Viksit Bharat. This is not just the change of sentiment, this reflects change in confidence”
• “India’s growth and stability is an exception to this uncertain world”
• “We are ensuring ‘Ease of Living’ and ‘Quality of Life’ for all our citizens”
• “India’s fiscal prudence despite the pandemic is role model for the world”
• “The intent and commitment of our government is very clear. There is no diversion in our direction”
• “Our government has no lack of political will. For us, the aspirations of the country and its citizens are paramount.”
• “I consider industry, and also the private sector of India, as a powerful medium to build a developed India”