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The Indian Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, in her final budget speech before the impending general elections, strategically balances economic growth and fiscal responsibility. With an 11% increase in the capex target, reaching ₹11.11 lakh crore, the budget aligns with India’s goal of attaining ‘developed economy’ status by 2047. It prioritizes investments in infrastructure, research, and green initiatives, fostering a business-friendly environment. Noteworthy is the emphasis on the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of innovation. The budget underscores a commitment to genuine universal healthcare and sustainability, reflecting a pragmatic approach towards India’s transition to an advanced manufacturing and knowledge-led economy.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her last budget speech before the general elections, unveils a growth-oriented financial roadmap aligned with India’s aspirations for a ‘developed economy’ status by 2047. Striking a balance between economic growth and fiscal prudence, the budget emphasizes investments in infrastructure, research, and green technologies. Recognizing the potential of the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry, the government aims to position India as a global manufacturing and R&D hub. The budget outlines initiatives for genuine universal healthcare and sustainability, showcasing a pragmatic approach towards India’s holistic development.
India’s pursuit of becoming a major consumer and a global manufacturing giant has been underlined by substantial investments in infrastructure. The Finance Minister announced an 11% year-on-year increase in the capital expenditure (capex) target, reaching ₹11.11 lakh crore, which represents 3.4% of the GDP. This funding injection will be directed towards the development of digital, social, and physical infrastructure, including housing, railways, ports, tourism, and logistics.
Recognizing the potential of the pharma and biopharmaceuticals industry as a significant value creator, the Finance Minister’s budget takes a forward-looking stance. The industry aspires to grow from $50 billion in 2023 to $120-130 billion by 2030. The government’s acknowledgment of this sector as a sunrise industry is evident in the creation of a ₹1 lakh crore corpus for long-term financing at zero or low interest for emerging domains. This aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Jai Anusandhan,’ aiming to boost research and innovation. Increased allocation to R&D will enable India to evolve from a volume player in generics to an innovation hub for novel therapies. The budget’s support for the biomanufacturing scheme focused on biopharmaceuticals aligns with India’s goal of achieving a $150 billion bioeconomy by 2025.
The budget showcases a commitment to green initiatives and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Various measures, such as viability gap funding (VGF) for offshore wind energy, financial aid for biomass segregation, promotion of eco-friendly alternatives like bioplastics and biofuels, rooftop solarisation, and the expansion of the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, demonstrate a conscious effort towards sustainability. These initiatives are crucial for India’s global environmental commitments and will play a pivotal role in the country’s transition to a green and clean energy future.
The interim budget significantly contributes to advancing India’s journey towards genuine universal healthcare. Proposals like cervical cancer vaccination for girls and the extension of Ayushman Bharat to ASHA workers, anganwadi workers, and helpers underscore the government’s commitment to public health. The consolidation of maternal and child health schemes under a single umbrella is a strategic move that aims to enhance efficiency in implementation, ensuring a holistic approach to healthcare.
With India’s demonstrated leadership at the G20, the government is actively negotiating bilateral investment treaties with overseas partners. These efforts aim to encourage sustained foreign investment, aligning with the vision of ‘building for India and building for the world.’ This reflects a global outlook, positioning India as an attractive investment destination and fostering international collaborations.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s pragmatic approach is evident in the budget, which prioritizes stability and consistency over populism. The commitment to fiscal prudence, coupled with investments in poverty alleviation, farmer welfare, women’s empowerment, and youth skilling, is commendable. The budget’s focus on research and innovation, biomanufacturing, green technologies, infrastructure development, and technology-driven digital transformation aligns seamlessly with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of ‘Sabka saath, sabka vikas.’
India’s Budget 2024 sets the stage for a prosperous future. Finance Minister Sitharaman’s strategic allocation of resources reflects a commitment to stability, innovation, and sustainability. The emphasis on infrastructure, research, and green initiatives positions India as a global player in advanced manufacturing and knowledge-led industries. The focus on the pharmaceutical sector aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of innovation, while initiatives for universal healthcare and sustainability underline a holistic approach to development. This budget not only addresses immediate challenges but also paves the way for India’s sustained economic growth and international prominence.