THE HEADLINES:
• Economic Survey projects over 6 per cent GDP growth in current fiscal; Says, fundamentals of economy remain robust.
• Chief Economic Advisor, Dr. V. Ananth Nageswaran says, agriculture is the sector of the future.
• President Droupadi Murmu expresses confidence on future generations to witness developed, strong and prosperous India by 2047.
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present Union Budget tomorrow.
• Country’s Infrastructure output registers 4 per cent increase in December 2024 on annual basis.
• In Cricket, Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, India enter final thrashing England by 9 wickets in semifinal at Kuala Lumpur.
• And, in Men’s Cricket India set a target of 182 runs before England in Pune in the fourth T20 match.
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India’s real GDP is estimated to grow by 6.4 per cent in the financial year 2025-26 and the growth is likely to range between 6.3 and 6.8 per cent in the next financial year. This was projected in the Economic Survey presented by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in both the Houses of Parliament today.
The Economic Survey highlights that the fundamentals of the domestic economy remain robust, with calibrated fiscal consolidation and stable private consumption. It mentioned that the country has displayed steady economic growth supported by the agriculture and services sector. Rural demand is witnessing improvement on the back of record Kharif production and favourable agricultural conditions. It says, the manufacturing sector faced pressures due to weak global demand and domestic seasonal conditions.
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Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) Dr. V. Ananth Nageswaran has said that agriculture is the sector of the future, as there is enough scope to raise the contribution of agriculture by 0.75 per cent to one per cent in terms of GDP growth. Briefing the media in New Delhi after the tabling of the Economic Survey in Parliament, Mr. Nageswaran said the area under micro-irrigation has increased threefold.
The CEA said, in terms of infrastructure, India has done well with new airports, trains, and reduced turnaround times at ports. He said, there has also been an expansion in telecom and power sector capacity.
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President Droupadi Murmu today said, amid global instability, India is setting an example to the world by emerging as a pillar of economic, social and political stability. Addressing the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament at the beginning of the Budget session this morning, the President said, her government is working with unprecedented pace for the development of the country and to ensure welfare of the people with a vision to Reform, Perform and Transform. President Murmu also expressed confidence that the future generations of the country will witness a developed, strong, capable and prosperous India by 2047.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, President Droupadi Murmu’s address was a resonant outline of India’s path towards building a Viksit Bharat. In a social media post, the Prime Minister said, President Murmu highlighted initiatives across sectors and underscored the importance of all-round as well as futuristic development.
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for FY25-26 tomorrow, marking her eighth consecutive budget.
“The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha will discuss the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address on Monday. 16 Bills including the Finance Bill 2025, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 will be taken up for discussion and passage. The first part of the Budget session will be held till 13th February while the second leg of the session will be held from 10th March to 4th April. Suparna Saikia, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
The Finance Minister today interacted with the Secretaries and the senior officials of the Finance Ministry involved in the Budget making process at her office in North Block in New Delhi. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary also participated in the meeting.
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People from Punjab are expecting industrial infrastructure, tax rebate, social security for employees and relief to the middle class from the budget tomorrow. Deputy Director, Engineering Export Promotion Council of India, Opinder Singh, said that Punjab industry wants infrastructure development.
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In view of the presentation of the Union Budget tomorrow, the key market exchanges, Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange, will remain open for trading, in a break from the usual weekend routine. The equity markets will be open from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., while the commodity derivatives market will extend its trading until 5:00 p.m. In addition to equity and commodity derivatives trading, the Multi Commodity Exchange of India will also conduct a live trading session on the same day.
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Rashtrapati Bhavan has clarified that President Droupadi Murmu was not tired at any point during her address today. It said in a statement that comments by some prominent leaders of Congress party have hurt the dignity of the high office, and are unacceptable. It added that such comments are in poor taste, unfortunate and entirely avoidable. Rashtapati Bhawan said, President Murmu believes that speaking up for marginalized communities, women and farmers can never be tiring.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hit out at the Congress for the remarks made by Sonia Gandhi against President Droupadi Murmu. During his election rally in Delhi today, Mr Modi said that by making remarks the Congress has insulted the 10 crore tribal brothers and sisters of the country.
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India’s infrastructure output, which constitutes about two-fifths of the country’s industrial production, increased by 4 per cent in December 2024 on an annual basis. This growth was driven by an increase in seven of the eight core sectors during the month. The production of coal, electricity, steel, cement, refinery products and fertilizers recorded positive growth.
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The External Affairs Ministry today said that India and the US are working on an early visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US to further deepen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Briefing the media in New Delhi this evening, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said specific dates for the visit will be announced at an appropriate time.
On three Indian nationals missing in Iran, Mr. Jaiswal said that the Ministry is in regular touch with the families of the missing persons. They reportedly travelled for business purposes, and their families lost contact with them shortly after their arrival in Iran.
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With only four days left for campaigning for the Delhi Assembly polls, the city is heated up with roadshows, rallies, public meetings, and door-to-door campaigns. Prominent leaders of all political parties, and the candidates are leaving no stone unturned to reach the voters. Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting in Dwarka today. He said, the National Capital needs a double-engine government for rapid development of the city.
On the other hand, Aam Aadmi Party Convener Arvind Kejriwal claimed that a family in Delhi with 18 members saved 50 thousand rupees per month by availing different schemes being offered by the AAP government in the national capital. He campaigned for the party at Gandhi Nagar today.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi held a road show at Nangloi Jat in New Delhi. Senior Congress Leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi addressed a public meeting in Madipur Constituency today.
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Meanwhile, the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi, R Alice Vaz briefed the media today regarding poll preparedness in the Capital. He informed that over 1.56 crore voters will decide the fate of Delhi in the upcoming Assembly Elections on the 5th of next month.
“The Elections Commission is taking various voter-friendly measures for smooth conduct of polls in the city. These include providing ramps, wheelchairs, medical teams, and crèche services in the polling stations. Colour coded systems will be used so that voters can easily identify their booths. Around 14 hundred polling stations have been set up across two thousand nine hundred 69 premises. Out of this 733 polling stations are designated for persons with disabilities. Over 1 lakh polling personnel have been deployed, and all polling stations will have essential amenities under the Assured Minimum Facility policy. An Artificial Intelligence based Queue Management System has been unveiled, which will enable voters to check real-time crowd levels at polling centers to avoid queues. For voter assistance, nearly nine thousand trained volunteers will be deployed and a pick-and drop facility can be accessed via the helpline number 1950 and the Saksham ECI App. Sumit Saha, Akashvani News Delhi.”
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The judicial commission set up to probe the reasons behind the Maha Kumbh incident today visited the Sangam Ghat to investigate the cause and circumstances of the incident. On Wednesday, the incident had claimed 30 lives and 60 were injured in Maha Kumbh. A judicial commission was set up by the Uttar Pradesh government to find the reasons behind the incident.
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In the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup, defending champions India thrashed England by 9 wickets in the second semifinal in Kuala Lumpur to seal a spot in the final. Chasing the target of 114 runs set by England, India comfortably made 117 for one in 15 overs.
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In Men’s Cricket, India have set a target of 182 runs before England in the fourth T20 International at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Indian team scored 181 runs for nine wickets in stipulated 20 overs.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
• Economic Survey projects over 6 per cent GDP growth in current fiscal; Says, fundamentals of economy remain robust.
• Chief Economic Advisor, Dr. V. Ananth Nageswaran says, agriculture is the sector of the future.
• President Droupadi Murmu expresses confidence on future generations to witness developed, strong and prosperous India by 2047.
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present Union Budget tomorrow.
• Country’s Infrastructure output registers 4 per cent increase in December 2024 on annual basis.
• In Cricket, Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, India enter final thrashing England by 9 wickets in semifinal at Kuala Lumpur.
• And, in Men’s Cricket India set a target of 182 runs before England in Pune in the fourth T20 match.
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