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Expressing optimism over budget, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said growth is the main focus of the budget for FY24 presented by her recently. She added that the budget proposals establish both fiscal consolidation and growth, especially inclusive growth.

She noted ‘Growth is the main focus. We want to sustain that recovery, sustain that growth’. She gave credit for ensuring growth to the people of the country, who absorbed the relief and policy measures introduced by the government since the onset of the pandemic to make India the second-fastest growing economy.

The finance minister said it was the ‘express desire’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to continue with the elevated public capital expenditure, due to which she has proposed a higher outlay of Rs 10 lakh crore under the head. She also acknowledged the budget-making team for making it possible to devote such a high quantum of resources for the task amid the myriad challenges like the need for fiscal consolidation. She said ‘Mumbai should be liking it (the proposals)’.