eznews.inFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha on February 1, marking her ninth consecutive budget presentation. Highlighting India's economic stability over the past 12 years under Prime Minister Modi, she emphasized the government's commitment to structural reforms, fiscal prudence, and public investment amidst a challenging global environment marked by disrupted supply chains and trade uncertainties. Sitharaman announced 'GST 2.0', aimed at simplifying indirect taxation with a two-rate structure of 5% and 18%, which seeks to lower compliance costs and reduce living expenses. The budget also prioritizes export growth in response to the U.S. imposing a 50% tariff on Indian goods. Additionally, she laid out two statements under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, while the budget session will run for 30 sittings until April 2, with a recess from February 13 to March 9 for committee reviews. 
Published: Feb 01 2026, 11 ameznews.inIn a significant address ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27 presentation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined the government's strategy to bolster economic growth through targeted interventions in six key areas. Speaking at the Finance Ministry in New Delhi, she emphasized the government's commitment to ongoing reforms, stating, "The reform express is running on its way." The proposed interventions include scaling up manufacturing in seven strategic sectors, rejuvenating legacy industries, and fostering the growth of champion micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Additionally, Sitharaman highlighted the importance of infrastructure development, ensuring long-term economic stability, and creating city economic regions to drive urban growth. These initiatives are designed to strengthen India's economic foundation and support sustainable growth, reflecting the government's dedication to fulfilling its responsibilities and maintaining reform momentum.
Published: Feb 01 2026, 11 ameznews.inIn her presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27 on February 1, 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a significant Rs 10,000 crore investment in the biopharmaceutical sector over the next five years, aimed at enhancing India's pharmaceuticals industry. Biopharmaceuticals, or biologics, are intricate medicines derived from living organisms rather than chemical synthesis. The budget also outlines interventions across six key areas, including manufacturing, healthcare, and advanced technology, with a particular emphasis on the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, which seeks to develop a robust semiconductor ecosystem. Additionally, support will be extended to mineral-rich states such as Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu to establish critical mineral facilities. Sitharaman reiterated the government's commitment to the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' as a guiding philosophy for inclusive growth.
Published: Feb 01 2026, 11 ameznews.inIndia's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled a significant budget proposal on February 1, 2026, aimed at bolstering the country's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with a dedicated ₹10,000 crore SME growth fund. Emphasizing the importance of MSMEs as a growth engine, she outlined a three-pronged strategy to support their development, including topping up the self-reliant India fund with an additional ₹2,000 crore. Key measures proposed include mandating the TREDS platform for transactions involving MSMEs, introducing a credit guarantee mechanism for invoice discounting, and linking government purchases to enhance financing access. Sitharaman also highlighted a substantial increase in public capital expenditure, proposing an allocation of ₹12.2 lakh crore for the upcoming financial year, up from ₹11.2 lakh crore, to further infrastructure development in Tier II and III cities. This marks her record ninth consecutive Union budget presentation.
Published: Feb 01 2026, 11 ameznews.inIn her presentation of the Union Budget for 2026-27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a 9% increase in capital expenditure, raising the allocation to ₹12.2 lakh crore, aimed at bolstering infrastructure development and economic growth. This marks a significant rise from the previous year's ₹11.21 lakh crore, reflecting a decade-long trend of increasing public capital spending, which has surged from ₹2 lakh crore in 2014-15. Sitharaman emphasized the government's commitment to enhancing urban infrastructure, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and introduced a new infrastructure risk guarantee fund to mitigate challenges faced by private developers. This fund aims to provide partial credit guarantees to lenders, thereby reducing risk perceptions and encouraging private investment in infrastructure projects. The Finance Minister reiterated that these initiatives underscore the government's dedication to sustaining infrastructure-led growth in the years ahead.
Published: Feb 01 2026, 11 ameznews.inGross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections in India rose by 6.2% to over ₹1.93 lakh crore in January, driven primarily by increased revenues from imports, according to sources. Net GST revenues also saw a significant increase of 7.6%, reaching approximately ₹1.71 lakh crore. However, total refunds decreased by 3.1% to ₹22,665 crore. Cess collections from tobacco products amounted to ₹5,768 crore, a notable decline from ₹13,009 crore in January of the previous year, when a broader range of luxury and sin goods were taxed. The reduction in GST rates on around 375 items, effective September 22, 2025, has contributed to the changes in revenue collections, with domestic transaction tax collections growing by 4.8% to ₹1.41 lakh crore, while import revenues increased by 10.1% to ₹52,253 crore.
Published: Feb 01 2026, 10 ameznews.inIndia's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget in Parliament on February 1, 2026, amid a backdrop of geopolitical challenges and rising US tariffs. Analysts expect her to focus on fostering job-creating growth while maintaining fiscal prudence, as the nation aims for a more developed economy, or Viksit Bharat. This year's budget presentation is particularly notable as Sitharaman donned a magenta Kattam Kanjeevaram silk saree, a traditional garment from Tamil Nadu, which has sparked interest given the upcoming elections in the state and others, including Kerala and West Bengal. Observers speculate that the budget may include incentives aimed at poll-bound states, reflecting the political landscape as the government seeks to balance economic reforms with electoral considerations.
Published: Feb 01 2026, 10 ameznews.inIndia's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present her ninth consecutive budget on February 1, 2026, in New Delhi, with a focus on fostering job creation and maintaining fiscal prudence amid geopolitical challenges and rising US tariffs. The budget will be paperless, continuing a trend from previous years, and is expected to outline a fiscal deficit target of 4% of GDP for FY27, following a successful consolidation to below 4.5% in FY26. Key areas of interest include a projected capital expenditure increase to over ₹12 lakh crore, a roadmap for reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio, and anticipated gross tax revenues of ₹42.70 lakh crore. Additionally, the government aims to allocate ₹3.83 lakh crore for subsidies, with a significant portion for food support. The budget will also highlight spending on critical sectors such as health and education, as well as reforms in customs.
Published: Feb 01 2026, 10 ameznews.inIndian shares are poised for a positive opening in a special trading session ahead of the Union Budget presentation on Sunday, as investors anticipate government measures to bolster growth through capital spending and support for export-oriented sectors affected by US tariffs. GIFT Nifty futures closed at 25,443, suggesting the NSE Nifty 50 will open above its previous close of 25,320.65. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will unveil the 2026-27 budget at 11 a.m. IST. Despite a 7.8% gain in the benchmark Nifty 50 since the last budget, it has lagged behind emerging market peers due to significant foreign outflows and weak corporate earnings. Analysts expect the budget to balance public capital expenditure with fiscal consolidation, with potential boosts for industrials, infrastructure, and rural demand. Additionally, an extension of production-linked incentives could benefit electronics manufacturers, while insurers may see gains from increased tax deductions on life insurance products.
Published: Feb 01 2026, 9 ameznews.inThe demand for pump installations among Indian farmers is on the rise, driven by a combination of policy initiatives, groundwater stress, and the need for reliable irrigation, with a notable shift towards solar-powered systems, according to Vivek Gupta, CMD of Oswal Pumps. While traditional electric and diesel pumps remain in use, government-backed programs like PM-KUSUM are accelerating the adoption of solar pumps, which now account for 25-30% of installations. Farmers are increasingly opting for energy-efficient, durable systems that support micro-irrigation, reflecting a broader trend towards sustainable water usage. However, challenges persist, including deeper groundwater levels and unreliable power supply, which have intensified over the past decade. The shift towards solar pumps not only alleviates these issues but also fosters a service-led rural economy, allowing local entrepreneurs to provide irrigation services, thereby enhancing access and affordability for marginal farmers.
Published: Jan 31 2026, 10 pm
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