Nirmala Sitharaman, currently serving as the Finance Minister, and S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, have been members of the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Parliament, for a considerable period. However, they have not yet faced popular elections.

Joshi, who holds the Coal and Mines portfolio, disclosed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contemplating their electoral debut in the Lok Sabha elections this year. Media reports suggest that Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar are likely to contest the Lok Sabha elections.

Although Nirmala Sitharaman is currently a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka and S Jaishankar represents Gujarat, their Lok Sabha constituencies are yet to be finalized. Sitharaman, who joined the BJP in 2008, served as the national spokesperson of the party until 2014. She became a junior minister after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India. The same year, she became a member of the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh. Sitharaman has also served as the Defence Minister of the country between 2017 and 2019.

On the other hand, S Jaishankar is a career diplomat who served as the Foreign Secretary in 2015. In 2019, he was inducted into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet and was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha. Over the years, he has gained popularity on social media due to his staunch defense of Indian foreign policy on international forums.

The potential electoral debut of Sitharaman and Jaishankar in the Lok Sabha elections is expected to add a new dimension to the political landscape. Both ministers have been instrumental in shaping key policies and initiatives of the Modi government, and their entry into electoral politics is likely to generate significant interest among voters.

As the BJP gears up for the upcoming elections, the inclusion of Sitharaman and Jaishankar in the candidate list could be seen as a strategic move to strengthen the party’s position in Karnataka and other states. Their extensive experience in governance and diplomacy could also serve as a valuable asset in addressing critical issues facing the country.

The Lok Sabha elections are crucial for the BJP as it seeks to retain power and continue its agenda of development and reforms. The potential candidature of Sitharaman and Jaishankar is expected to energize the party’s campaign and attract support from various sections of society.

BY – KASHISH JAIN

Key focal points of the interim budget include GYAN (Gareeb, Yuva, Annadata, Nari Shakti), emphasizing Garib Kalyan and Desh Ka Kalyan by spotlighting the government’s efforts in uplifting 25 crore people from multidimensional poverty in the last decade. Additionally, initiatives such as PM-SVANindhi, providing credit assistance to 78 lakh street vendors, and PM-Vishwakarma Yojana, supporting artisans and craftsmen, alongside the effective implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) resulting in savings of 2.7 lakh crore, were highlighted. The focus on YUVA entailed empowering youth, nurturing their entrepreneurial aspirations through the sanction of 43 crore loans under PM Mudra Yojana and aiming to train 1.4 crore youth under the Skill India Mission. ANNADATA, centered on the welfare of farmers, directed financial assistance to 11.8 crore farmers under PM-KISAN, coupled with crop insurance for 4 crore farmers. Lastly, NARI SHAKTI saw a rise in women’s participation, with initiatives like providing 30 crore Mudra Yojana loans to women entrepreneurs, assisting 83 lakh self-help groups to empower women as ‘Lakhpati Didis,’ and augmenting women’s representation in higher education by 28 percent.

The interim budget placed a significant emphasis on the tourism sector, urging states to undertake the comprehensive development of tourist centers by leveraging branding and marketing strategies at a global scale. To facilitate this, the government proposed the provision of long-term interest-free loans to states to finance such developmental endeavors. Notably, expenditure on tourism was notably highest in Lakshadweep, underscoring the importance of bolstering this sector in the region. Under the ambit of housing schemes, the interim budget allocated resources towards affordable housing projects with special emphasis on marginalized and economically disadvantaged communities. The budget allocates significant resources towards strengthening access to quality healthcare services and enhancing pandemic preparedness with healthcare cover Ayushman Bharat scheme to be extended to all ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and helpers.

People-centric inclusive development is prioritized to ensure the development of all forms of physical, digital, and social infrastructure, coupled with proactive inflation management, alongside the deepening and widening of the tax base through GST, with no changes in corporate tax. No tax liability on families with income upto 7 lakh and no changes in personal income tax slabs. A new scheme to be launched for strengthening deep-tech technologies for defense purposes and “Atmanirbharta”. 40,000 normal rail bogies to be converted to Vande Bharat standards with 517 new routes and doubled airports in the aviation sector.

The interim budget 2024 embodies a more holistic approach to inclusive development, harmonizing economic growth with social welfare imperatives. The Budget lays the groundwork for equitable and progress cultivating a business friendly environment while navigating the uncertainties of an election year.

By – Kashish Jain

Addressing the Lok Sabha on Monday, Sitharaman labeled these accusations as a “politically vitiated narrative propagated by vested interest groups.” Chowdhury, the leader of the opposition, asserted a widespread belief that non-BJP states, including Congress-ruled Karnataka, are being unjustly deprived of their legitimate dues.

Sitharaman responded, clarifying that she adheres to the rules and procedures dictated by the Finance Commission for the devolution of taxes to states. She emphasized that the Finance Commission’s recommendations are implemented without bias, and no finance minister can arbitrarily intervene in the process.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman vehemently rejected allegations made by Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, asserting, “There is just no possibility of any Finance Minister intervening and saying, ‘I don’t like this state, so stop payment. No way.” Sitharaman criticized Chowdhury’s previous assertions that everything was “hunky dory” until six months ago. She questioned the sudden change and suggested that if there were issues, they should be addressed without blaming the central government.

Growing increasingly exasperated, Sitharaman urged Chowdhury to discuss concerns with the Finance Commission, emphasizing her adherence to established rules and procedures. “I can’t do anything if the Finance Commission doesn’t tell me to do… Adhirji, please don’t imagine I have any discretion,” she concluded with a namaste gesture as she sat down.

In a related development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah announced plans to lead a protest in Delhi on February 7 against what the state perceives as step-motherly treatment by the central government.

Siddaramiah clarified that the protest is not politically motivated but aimed at highlighting concerns about the central government’s handling of issues, especially during times of drought. “We follow the federal system, and that’s why we have organized this protest. They are misleading and telling lies to the people of the country and the state,” Siddaramiah said, expressing dissatisfaction with the central government’s budget allocation, devolution, and grants to the state. As tensions rise, Karnataka vows to strongly oppose the central government’s actions before the Finance Commission, citing discrepancies in budget allocations and accusing the center of withholding funds.