FM Nirmala Sitharaman Stresses Fiscal Responsibility and Job Growth
Deccan ChronicleNew Delhi: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharman on Thursday said that the government is making sure that fiscal deficit is managed without hurting any projects. The finance minister also highlighted the interim budget, saying that it is the emphasis given by the government on capital expenditure and sustaining pace of economic growth. “So public investment in infrastructure gives us greater returns,” adding that the government is making sure that fiscal deficit is managed without hurting any projects. With the capital expenditure being in the focus, in the last 3-4 years, we have made sure that our debt management is done in such a way that we honour the glide path for fiscal deficit that we had given in 2021,” she said.She also emphasised that money spent on capital expenditure gives return compared to revenue expenditure. “So public investment in infrastructure gives us greater returns,” adding that the government is making sure that fiscal deficit is managed without hurting any projects.As far as the job scenario is concerned in the country, the finance minister also highlighted that in rural areas, unemployment rate has decreased from 5.3 per cent in 2017 to 2.4 per cent in 2023.