Interim Union Budget 2024
The Finance Minister (FM) presented the Interim Union Budget for FY24-25, on 1ST Feb 2024. Let’s break down the essentials of this budget for the everyday Indian.
What’s an Interim Budget ?
An interim budget is a temporary financial plan of the government’s revenue and expenditure until the new government assumes power in an election year.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS -
First Develop India
The Finance Minister called it a budget of "FDI" (First Develop India), of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" (inclusivity and progress for all), of "Garib" (Poor), "Mahilayen" (Women), “Yuva” (Youth) and “Annadata” (Farmer) and of course of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (achieving our goal of self-sufficiency). This being an interim budget was also a lesson on the wins from the government's two terms so far.
In the Path of Fiscal Prudence
The government's intent to improve the quality of the budget and to continue on the line of fiscal consolidation was clearly visible in the numbers. Fiscal deficit Revised Estimate (RE) for FY24 came in lower at 5.8% of GDP compared to the Budget Estimate (BE) of 5.9%, which was a positive surprise. Most of the consolidation is coming from a tight reign on "Revenue Expenditure". This is also a big positive, giving the government room to continue to increase the "Capital Expenditure" in order to support growth. The FM stressed upon driving growth for the year to come with a continued focus on capital expenditure in sectors like Tech, Defense, and Infrastructure. Capital expenditure has seen an increase from INR 4.3 Lakh Cr in FY21 to INR 9.5 Lakh Cr in FY24. The guidance for FY25 is at INR 11.11 Lakh Cr.
No Tax change headaches
Given the major adjustments made to tax rates last year, and also given that this is an interim budget, the FM kept both Direct and indirect taxes unchanged. Therefore to the extent of post-tax return, this budget does not impact our financial portfolios in any significant way. We will revisit this in the full budget which will be presented in July-2024.
Empowering the Underprivileged & Farmers
PM Awas Yojana (Gramin) for achieving the target of 2 crore more houses in the next five years. Rooftop solarization and Muft Bijli to enable one crore houses to obtain up to 300 units of free electricity per month through rooftop solar tech. The FM also proposed the formulation of a strategy to achieve ‘Atmanirbharta’ for oil seeds and dairy development.
Strategic Infrastructure Development
The interim budget emphasized the implementation of 3 major railway corridor programs –
The Finance Minister stressed on conversion of 40,000 normal rail bogies to Vande Bharat standards and expansion of existing airports and the development of new airports. Expansion of Metro Rail and NaMo Bharat in large cities focusing on transit-oriented development will also be on the agenda.
Nurturing Growth through Green Energy
Viability gap funding for harnessing shore-wind energy potential along with coal gasification & liquefaction capacity of 100 MT will be set up by 2030. Phased mandatory blending of compressed biogas in compressed natural gas for transport and piped natural gas for domestic purposes will be mandated. The FM proposed the launch of a scheme for bio-manufacturing to encourage the production of bioplastics and bio-agri inputs.
Comprehensive Development of Tourist Centres
The Budget prioritized the development of iconic tourist centers, branding, and marketing at a global scale by the States. Projects for port connectivity, tourism infrastructure, and amenities on islands, including Lakshadweep. Long-term interest-free loans to be provided to States for financing the development of tourist centers.
Allocation to major ministries
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LOOKING FORWARD -
As the interim budget for 2024 concludes, it provides a clear indication of the government's priorities and offers insights into the forthcoming main budget that would be aligned with Viksit Bharat. We believe the incoming government’s budget is likely to take forward the vision of Viksit Bharat and should also include bold reforms in areas such as:
TDS/TCS Processes Review with a view to reduce Cost of Doing Business
Initiating automatic monthly refunds for MSMEs and gig workers when TDS/TCS collections exceed 10% of expected liability will significantly benefit these crucial sectors of the Indian economy without negatively impacting government finances.
GST Flexibility for MSME Growth
Extend GST payment deadlines for select MSMEs based on risk profiling, utilize GST Tax Audit data for identifying eligible sectors, and implement surcharges for delayed payments, to improve MSME cash flows, support honest taxpayers, and reduce operational costs.
Incentivising Women to Join the Workforce
Recognizing and valuing female labor, especially in domestic and unpaid sectors, through policies like formalizing the status of ASHA and Anganwadi workers and implementing support mechanisms for domestic workers, aimed at promoting gender equality and sustainable economic growth.
‘Ghar Wapsi’ of Unicorns
To attract startups back to India, the government can provide financial incentives, establish a support cell under Invest India for regulatory and market assistance, and potentially recuperate costs through taxes from the startups' future growth and public listings.
SDG Financing
Leverage CSR funds to address India's SDG financing gap in vital areas through a dedicated fund, amplify contributions via a multi-tiered strategy and global SDG bonds, and establish a transparent, centralized platform to manage these funds and stakeholder engagement, thereby multiplying CSR impact and fast-tracking India's SDG achievements.
PLI Continuation and Expansion
Expanding PLI benefits to emerging sectors like semiconductor manufacturing, electric vehicles, and renewable energy equipment can significantly boost innovation, increase production volumes, attract foreign investments, and enhance India's export competitiveness.
Strengthening of Banks
As investments in infrastructure grow, it's crucial to strengthen our banking system to increase its ability to lend, ensure financial stability, and support continuous economic growth. This means banks need to improve their capital reserves, better manage risks, and adhere to stricter regulations.
These were some of the major announcements from the interim budget, but the full picture will emerge with the new government’s budget, potentially bringing bolder reforms and policy changes. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you have any queries.
Disclaimer - Views expressed herein are based on the Budget proposals presented by the Honorable Finance Minister in the Parliament on February 01, 2024. The Budget proposals may change or may be different at the time the Budget is passed by the Parliament and notified by the Government. The information is for general purposes only and is not a complete disclosure of every material fact of the Indian Budget. For a detailed study, please refer to the budget documents available at www.indiabudget.gov.in . The views involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied herein. The views and opinions mentioned above are only for general information and not to be regarded as a ‘recommendation/advice’ towards a course of action. Historical performance indications and financial market scenarios are not reliable indicators of current or future performance. In view of the individual circumstances and risk profile, each investor is advised to consult with their advisors/planners before making any investment decisions. We’re not advising, suggesting, or guaranteeing any returns on any investments made.