Budget to be milestone in journey of Viksit Bharat: Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 23 (ANI): Ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget 2024, Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna stated that it will prove to be a milestone in the journey towards a Viksit Bharat.

“We expect that this budget will be a milestone in the journey towards a Viksit Bharat,” Khanna said, speaking to ANI on Tuesday.

Discussing the positive outcomes of the Indian economy, Khanna added, “The economic survey presented yesterday made it clear that our growth rate has increased to 8.2%, up from 6.5% earlier. The employment rate has decreased, and all our economic activities have strengthened.”

“The budget presented today will benefit Uttar Pradesh as well,” he added.

Meanwhile, copies of the Union Budget 2024 were brought to Parliament ahead of the presentation of the first budget of the Narendra Modi government in its third term.

The Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met in Parliament on Tuesday to approve the Union Budget ahead of its presentation by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Parliament this morning to attend the cabinet meeting.

On Monday, the Prime Minister said the Economic Survey highlighted the prevailing strengths of the economy and identified areas for further growth and progress as the government “moves towards building a Viksit Bharat.”

Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Pralhad Joshi were also seen arriving in Parliament earlier for the Cabinet meeting today.

At 11 am, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2024-25.

Earlier today, Sitharaman met with President Droupadi Murmu before leaving for Parliament. This will mark Sitharaman’s seventh consecutive budget, surpassing the late Morarji Desai’s record of six consecutive budgets. It is likely to focus on changes in the income tax structure and improving the ease of doing business in India.

Addressing the media, Minister of State (MoS) for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, said that the first Union Budget of the third Modi government will be based on the mantra “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that this budget would accelerate the country’s economic growth. “The economic growth that happened under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be further accelerated by this budget. The budget presented today by Nirmala ji will also help our country, which is the fastest-growing economy,” Joshi said, speaking to the media on the Parliament premises on Tuesday.

The budget session of Parliament began on July 22 and is scheduled to end on August 12.