Nirmala Sitharaman Expresses Concern Over Parliament Disruptions During Budget Debate
Image Source: Republic World
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has expressed her disappointment over the continuous disruptions in Parliament that have prevented any discussion on the Union Budget. She believes that the protests by the Opposition in the two Houses are aimed at diverting attention from India’s “success story” at a time when leading economies are struggling.
Speaking to reporters, the FM said that she feels very sad as a debate on the Budget would have given her a chance to explain its various positives. The Modi government has been presenting “honest and transparent” budgets year after year, she added.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and global setbacks, the country’s revenues have been growing without levying any additional tax. The buoyant direct and indirect revenue collections and inflation hovering around the upper tolerance limit are a testament to India’s fastest-growing major economy status globally, according to Sitharaman. She discounted the World Bank and Asian Development Bank cutting
growth forecasts for this year.
In the 2022-23 fiscal year, gross GST mop-up grew 22% to Rs 18.10 lakh crore. The average gross monthly collection for the full year is Rs 1.51 lakh crore. GST collections in March grew 13% to the second highest ever at Rs 1.60 lakh crore, taking the growth rate of revenue mop-up for the 2022-23 fiscal to 22%.
Staff Reporter
