Budget Speech Highlights: From Makhana Board To Kisan Credit Card Loan Limit Increase — Key Announcements By FM Sitharaman In First 30 Minutes

Budget Speecgh Highlights: In the first half-hour of her speech, the focus remained primarily on the agriculture sector with key announcements for MSMEs and exports.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the presention of the Union Budget 2025-26 in the Lok Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.

Source : PTI

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting the Union Budget 2025-26 in Parliament, marking her record eighth Budget. This is also her first full-fledged Budget in the third term of the NDA government at the Centre. In the first half-hour of her speech, the focus remained primarily on the agriculture sector with key announcements for MSMEs and exports.  

READ | Budget 2025 For Poor, Young, Farmers, And Women Empowerment: PM Modi To Cabinet

Budget 2025 Highlights

• Accelerating Growth: The Budget continues the government's efforts to boost economic momentum and ensure inclusive development.
• Fastest-Growing Economy: India remains the fastest-growing among major global economies.
• Empowering the Middle Class: Aimed at uplifting household sentiment, supporting farmers, youth, MSMEs, and women (GYAN framework).
• Strategic Focus on Energy & Exports: Ensuring energy security and boosting exports are among the key priorities.
• Agriculture & Rural Development:  

   - A Developing Agri Districts program will be launched, modeled after the Aspirational Districts Program.  
   - Crop diversification, improved irrigation, and enhanced credit will benefit 1.7 crore farmers.  
   - Post-harvest storage facilities will be strengthened.  
   - A Makhana Board will be set up in Bihar to boost the production and processing of fox nuts.  
   - Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan limit increased to Rs 5 lakh.  
   - A National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds will be launched.  

• Fisheries & Cotton Production:  
     - A new framework for sustaining fisheries in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and the high seas.  
     - A five-year mission to promote cotton production.  
• Powering MSMEs & Exports:  
     - MSMEs contribute 45% to India's exports, and policies will focus on further enhancing their global competitiveness.  
• Transformative Reforms: The Budget focuses on six key areas:  
     - Taxation  
     - Financial Sector  
     - Power Sector  
     - Urban Development  
     - Mining  
     - Regulatory Reforms