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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the Indian economy is on a sustained path of revival and cited rise in GST collections and direct taxes to support her assertion.  She also said that the confidence in the Indian stock market is growing as retail and small investors are keenly investing money in the share market. She noted that the half-yearly target has already been achieved in direct taxes.

Sitharaman said today retail and small investors are taking keen interest in the stock market and investing in it. Earlier, retail investors were participating through mutual funds. She pointed out that now they are going through mutual funds and also go directly and participate (invest in stock market) through demat accounts. Therefore, today interest in the stock market is growing and more investment is taking place and more retail investments are taking place and all it is happening in a transparent manner. She stated that as a result, confidence in the Indian stock market is growing.

Talking on whether petrol and diesel would be brought under the GST, she said at the time of implementation of GST, the central and State governments had included petrol and diesel in it. She also said there is a provision in the GST law that petrol and diesel can be in GST.