to decode the interim budget highlights for us, we have Sane Bajaj, chairman and managing director of Bajaj Finser. Joining us Thank you so much for joining us and thank you for this interaction. Your first thoughts on the budget. Populist or prudent, I believe. Overall, it's a very balanced budget. Uh, it's one that is, uh, socially inclusive. It also continues to focus on growth with with you. As you can see, the 11.1 lac Capex outlay from the government. And it's also one that is, uh, driving towards greater fiscal prudence, with the, UH, fiscal deficit being targeted for 5.8% this year and then 5.4% next year. So overall, I think all in all in the right direction and and as one would expect from a vote in the car, all right now, changes to tax rates have been a key. Ask really your thoughts on that not happening at the moment. As far as corporate tax rates are concerned, we must be aware that the government actually reduced these significantly a few years ago and they stayed with it. Uh, even though the expansion in Capex investment hasn't happened and growth hasn't happened because of all the external factors and the pandemic period. Uh, and yet they've stayed consistent with that. So I believe that's a good, positive sign. And, uh, from what I could see, the, uh, from the Finance Minister's speech. Clearly, consistency is what she has tried to deliver, and we have to keep in mind that this is a grow in account. So, um, in that I believe this is this was a fair thing to do, All right? Consistency, really being the key job creation or key focus area. Which sectors do you think can contribute to this The most. Railways and the transition towards green energy, of course. Did see a mention. One of our biggest, uh, challenges and needs in India is consistent job creation. We know we are a large, youthful, uh, democracy, and we need to create those additional jobs. And that's where the focus on green, as you said, Um, even the the wind energy in the, uh, oceans, the gap funding over there, uh, the new three rail corridors, uh, that they've talked about for freight, the port connection corridors. Uh, you can see affordable housing and housing for the middle class number of inclusive, uh, parameters and measures for, uh, uh, women, uh, to increase their own, uh, job employment. And, you know, a lot of small but pertinent factors as well. For example, just cleaning up on all the direct tax demands up to ₹25,000 till, uh 09 10 and then 11,000. ₹10,000 till 1415. So you just declog the system and you're not harassing the common man. I think they put a lot of thought into this. We must appreciate it. All right, So, significant measures there. Thank you so much for sharing your insights and thank you for joining us.
