FRIDAY 02 FEBRUARY 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Twitter.com/thestatesman Facebook.com/thestatesman KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR WEATHER Generally cloudy sky. Light rain is very likely to occur. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 24 °C and 20 °C respectively. RAINFALL: Trace RELATIVE HUMIDITY Union Finance Minister presents Interim Budget 2024-25; no tax changes Max. 90 % Min. 66 % Max: 26.6°C (0) SUN RISES 06:16 hrs MOON RISES 22:55 hrs Min: 21.3°C (+6) SUN SETS 17:24 hrs MOON SETS 09:58 hrs TEMPERATURE Next-Gen reforms on the way: Sitharaman New Moon on 10 February THUMBNAILS Nirmala Ji's budget is a budget for building the future of the country. This budget carries the guarantee of strengthening the foundation of Viksit Bharat by 2047..We set a big goal, achieve it, and then set an even bigger goal for ourselves.. NARENDRA MODI PRIME MINISTER DEEPAK RAZDAN NEW DELHI, 1 FEBRUARY inance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday presented the Union Interim Budget, 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha, proposing no changes in direct or indirect taxes, and expressing confidence that the NDA government, based on its stupendous work, will be “blessed again by the people with a resounding mandate” in this year’s general elections. The Interim Budget makes provisions for financial resources to meet government expenditure till the end of the general elections. Amidst thumping of desks, Ms Sitharaman announced: “I propose to retain the same tax rates for direct and indirect taxes including import duties." As per the First Advance Estimates of National F Farmers listen to the live broadcast of the Union Interim Budget 2024 in South Dinajpur on Thursday.  ANI Cabinet approves sugar subsidy scheme for AAY Families under PDS: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narender Modi, on Thursday approved extension of the scheme of sugar subsidy for Antyodya Anna Yojna (AAY) families distributed through the Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) for two more years i.e. 31 March, 2026. Indicating the government's commitment to the wellbeing of citizens and ensuring sweetness of platter of the poorest of the poor in the country, the scheme facilitates access of sugar to the poorest of the poor and adds energy to their diet so that their health improves. Income of FY 2023-24, presented along with the finance minister’s speech, India’s real GDP is projected to grow at 7.3 per cent. The finance minister said when the Narendra Modi government took office in 2014, the country faced enormous challenges. “With ‘Sabka Saath, SabkaVikas’ as its ‘mantra’, the government overcame those challenges in right earnest,” introducing structural reforms, Ms Sitharaman said. The government will come out with a White Paper on how the challenges were met. The finance minister introduced the Finance Bill, 2024 and said she will be seeking ‘vote on account’ approval of Parliament through an Appropriation Bill for a part of the financial year 2024-25. Record allocation of over `6.21 l cr for Defence STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 1 FEBRUARY A record allocation of over Rs 6.21 lakh crore has been made for the defence sector in the Interim Budget 2024-25 presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament on Thursday. The Defence Budget has touched Rs 6,21,540.85 crore in the Financial Year 2024-25. This comes out to be 13.04 per cent of the total Interim Budget. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to receive the highest allocation among the ministries. The budgetary allocation to Defence for FY 24-25 is higher by approximately one lakh crore (18.35 per cent) over the allocation for FY 2022-23 and 4.72 per cent more than allocation of FY 23-24. Of this, a major share of 27.67 per cent goes to capital expenditure, 14.82 per cent for revenue expenditure on sustenance and opera- The Budgetary allocation to Defence for FY 24-25 is higher by approximately one lakh crore (18.35 pc) over the allocation for FY 2022-23 and 4.72 pc more than the allocation of FY 23-24. tional preparedness, 30.68 per cent for Pay and allowances, 22.72 per cent for defence pensions and 4.11 per cent for civil organisations under the MoD. Budgetary allocation for capital expenditure in Defence for FY 24-25 is Rs 1.72 lakh crore which is 20.33 per cent higher than the actual expenditure of FY 2223 and 9.40 per cent more than the revised allocation of FY 23-24. The allocation is in line with the Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) of the three Services aimed to fill the critical capability gaps through modernisation of the Armed Forces by materialising some big ticket acquisitions in FY 2024-25. The enhanced budgetary allocation will facilitate in equipping the armed forces with state-of-the-art, niche technology lethal weapons, fighter aircraft, ships, platforms, unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, specialist vehicles etc. Planned modernisation of the existing Su-30 fleet along with additional procurement of aircraft, acquisition of advanced engines for existing MiG-29, acquisition of transport aircraft C-295 and missile systems will be funded out of the budget being allocated. Apart from this, to take the initiative of ‘Make in India’ further the LCA MK–I IOC/FOC configuration will be additionally funded to ensure state-of-the-art technology in domestic production. The Indian Navy projects such as acquisition of deck-based fighter aircraft, submarines, next generation survey vessels etc. will all materialise through this allocation. The sizeable allocation under capital is centred around promoting ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in Defence. A large portion of the allocation will be utilised for procurement through domestic sources to provide domestically manufactured next generation weapon system to the country which will have a multiplier effect on the GDP , create employment, ensure capital formation and provide a stimulus to the domestic economy. She said as the fruits of development reached people, the government got a bigger mandate in 2019 for its second term. Development programmes in the last 10 years targeted each and every household and individual, through ‘housing for all’, ‘har ghar jal’, electricity for all, cooking gas for all, bank accounts and financial services for all, in record time, she said. Washington clears 4 billion dollars arms sale to India WASHINGTON, 1 FEBRUARY The Biden administration has notified the US Congress of its intent to sell nearly 4 billion dollars worth of arms comprising mainly MQ 9 B Drones armed with Hellfire missiles. “The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of MQ9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.99 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today," the Defence Security Cooperation Agency said. According to the agency’s statement, New Delhi has requested to buy 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian aircraft along with 170 AGM114R Hellfire missiles and other equipment. AGENCIES Champai Soren meets J’khand Guv, stakes claim to form govt AGENCIES RANCHI, 1 FEBRUARY Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) legislative party leader Champai Soren along with 43 legislators met Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday, staking a claim to form the government in the state. However, with uncertainty still prevailing over the formation of the government, the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance is making plans to shift their MLAs outside Jharkhand to thwart any attempt to poach them by the Opposition BJP . According to sources, the MLAs of the ruling coalition this JMM legislative party leader Champai Soren along with 43 legislators after their meeting with State Governor CP Radhakrishnan staking a claim to form the government in the state. ANI evening boarded a flight at Ranchi airport, although the aircraft did not take off. “The MLAs are likely to be shifted to Hyderabad.The flight has however not taken off yet due to low visibility,” the sources said. Earlier, after his meeting with the Governor, Mr Soren told reporters: “We have demanded from the Governor that the process to start the formation of the new government should begin. The Governor has also assured us that the process will begin soon."“We have submitted the report with 43 MLAs in our support. We expect that the number will reach 46-47 so there is no problem. Our ‘gathbandhan’ is very strong," he added. Mr Soren met Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Thursday evening, along with 43 MLAs, showcasing sufficient support to form a government. In the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, the JMM-led alliance has 47 MLAs, including 29 of JMM, 17 of Congress, and 1 of RJD. The BJP has 25 members and the AJSU party has three MLAs. The NCP and CPI (ML)L have one member each, apart from 3 Independents. Meanwhile, JMM leader and former chief minister Hemant Soren was sent to judicial custody for a day by a special PMLA court in Ranchi in the wake of his arrest Wednesday night by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam.The Supreme Court has also agreed to urgently list the plea filed by Mr Soren challenging his arrest. CMYK BJP arresting Opp leaders to secure victory in LS polls: CM BISWABRATA GOSWAMI SANTIPUR, 1 FEBRUARY Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, addressing a programme at Santipur in Nadia, on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of resorting to tactics of imprisoning opposition leaders to secure victory in the upcoming general elections. This comes in the wake of her Jharkhand counterpart, Hemant Soren, being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged land scam case. Miss Banerjee asserted her resilience in the face of such pressure, declaring that even if she were incarcerated, she would emerge steadfast. “BJP is putting everyone in jail only to win the election," she proclaimed. Miss Banerjee lamented the rejection of her party’s seatsharing proposal for the Lok Sabha elections by the Congress, which is an INDIA bloc partner. She accused the grand old party of aligning with the CPI-M, which will aid the BJP's electoral prospects. "We desired an alliance, but the Congress did not agree. They have joined forces with the CPI-M to assist the BJP in the elections," she said, iterating her party's decision to contest the elections independently. Miss Banerjee emphasised her commitment to the welfare of the people, promising to prioritise their interests over political alliances. She likened the transient promises of the BJP to the seasonal arrival of cuckoos in spring, contrasting it with the TMC's year-round dedication to serving the populace. She expressed confidence in forming the government in Delhi with the support of the people. “Trinamul Congress is strong enough to fight alone. If I am here and you all support me, I assure you that we will form the government in Delhi," she said. "They (BJP) come before the election like cuckoos in spring and propose to do many things for you, but after the election, they leave you," she remarked, taking aim at the BJP's track record. "We stay with you 365 days in a year, so whom would you choose in the election," she asked, urging the electorate to stand by those who demonstrate unwavering commitment. The comments come amidst heightened political activity as parties gear up for the impending polls. The TMC's decision to go solo reflects its confidence in its organisational strength and popular support in the state. She reaffirmed her party's determination to fight alone in Bengal, distancing herself from alliances that do not align with her vision, declaring: “We will win Delhi. Bengal will show the way." During the event, Miss Banerjee inaugurated numerous developmental projects worth Rs 753 crore, aimed at improving infrastructure and healthcare facilities in the state. She assured the gathered crowd of the tangible benefits these projects would bring to the populace, emphasising her administration's commitment to inclusive growth. Miss Banerjee also urged those affected by non-payment of funds under major schemes to join her sit-in demonstration in Kolkata starting from 2 February. She reiterated her solidarity with the people and urged them to stand together in demanding their rights. (More reports on Pg 3)