Nirmala Sitharaman promises Union Budget like 'never before'

New Delhi : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday (December 18) promised a Union Budget like 'never before' as the government is making it in dire need of reviving the economy from coronavirus pandemic. While the special emphasis will be on the healthcare side, the livelihood of common people during the crisis time will also be of great concern to the government in the upcoming budget.

"Send me your inputs so that we can see a Budget which is a Budget like never before, in a way. 100 years of India wouldn't have seen a Budget being made post-pandemic like this. "And that is not going to be possible unless I get your inputs and wish list, clear observation of what has put you through the challenge… Without that, it is impossible for me to draft something which is going to be that Budget like never before, a Budget which is being made after a pandemic," Sitharaman said while addressing the CII Partnership Summit 2020.

The government is scheduled to present the Union Budget for 2021-22 on February 1, 2021. She mentioned that to ensure the growth of the economy, those areas must be targeted which have been severely hit due to coronavirus pandemic.

"Considering our size, population and potential that India hold for good growth and building of economy, I wouldn't hesitate here to say that we shall be the engine of global growth along with a few other countries. We will be a significant contributor to a global economic revival," she said.

"Whereas we in India are actually very fortunate to have such capacities to produce the formulation, then to get it certified and we in India have the capacity to be able to produce as much as we (need)… and more for exports…," she added.

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