White House Press Secretary Karoline Levitt on Monday criticised the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and pointed out projects like USD 1.5 million for Diversity, equity and inclusion programmes (DEI) in Serbia, a transgender opera in Colombia, and a DEI musical in Ireland
India's fiscal and monetary policies are now focusing more on supporting economic growth, aligning with expectations of a cyclical recovery, according to a report by Morgan Stanley.
India's Union Budget 2025-26 revealed a significant reliance on borrowings, accounting for 24 per cent of the government's income, followed closely by income tax, which contributes 22 per cent to the revenue.
Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI, said, "The focus on Middle class and MSMEs will enhance consumption and production segments, boost private investments and create employment opportunities. The focus areas of the Budget include accelerating growth, securing inclusive development, invigorating
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri called this year's Union Budget excellent and highlighted the income tax exemption up to Rs 12 lakhs which he said will increase the middle class spending, giving a fillip to the economy.
This marks a minor 0.9 per cent increase over last year's Budget Estimate of Rs 11.11 lakh crore, but if compared with revised estimate of 2024-25 at Rs 10.18 lakh crore, the budget estimate of 2025-26 is substantially higher.
The Indian government has spent over Rs 54 lakh crore on capital expenditure in the past 11 years, according to a report by Systematix Institutional Equities.
The 214 crore upgrade project at ITIs is a joint project by Tata Technologies and the Goa government in which Tata Technologies will be spending 214 crore, whereas the Goa government will spend 49 crore.
The government is expected to continue on its fiscal deficit reduction path, bringing it down to 4.4 per cent of GDP in FY26. A strategic focus on investment and spending reforms will help balance fiscal prudence with economic expansion.
Rising incomes, a young workforce, and rapid urbanization are expected to drive consumption growth across the country. According to projections, consumer spending in India will rise to USD 4.3 trillion by 2030, up from USD 2.4 trillion in 2024.