Post Budget-2024 Quotes From Industry Leaders-3

Rishabh Kothari - Additional Secretary, Shri Ram Chandra Mission
 
“The budget session today has proposed supporting the development of temple corridors which will enable development of spiritual tourism within the proposed economic policy framework. According to the Ministry of Tourism, spiritual tourism in India has seen a rise post-Covid era. With the ease of restriction on lockdowns and travel, the numbers of spiritual tourists grew from 677 million in 2021 to 1,439 million in 2022 generating revenues of US$16.2 billion in 2022, up from US$ 7.9 billion as noted by the Ministry of Tourism. This contributed $199 billion to India’s GDP in 2022-23 financial year alone. Spiritual tourism has a rising potential of market size with an expected annual growth of 9-10% and generating livelihoods. It is estimated that by the end of this decade more than one hundred million people would have jobs in the spiritual tourism sector in India. Both Central and State Governments have worked in developing the infrastructure and connectivity through high-speed trains and setting up airports in smaller cities. Foreign tourists have been given easier access and interest-free loans to states to put up malls and shops for unique products have been brought in. It is very encouraging to see this kind of growth not only as an economic booster, but also that more and more people are seeking spiritual wellness from within the country and overseas as well. Provisions for promoting mental health as being an aspect of spiritual and holistic wellness must also be mandated through dedicated retreats and wellness centers.”

Rushabh Gandhi, MD & CEO at IndiaFirst Life Insurance
“This Union Budget is aimed at enhancing employment, skill development, MSMEs, and the welfare of the middle class. By raising the standard deduction and adjusting tax slabs, taxpayers under the new regime will face lower tax burdens, thus improving their disposable income, which bodes well for consumer spending.
 
The introduction of a clause pertaining to non-deductible expenses in Section 37 for life insurance companies may lead to tax litigation. The proposed hike in Capital Gain Tax is expected to impact the tax liabilities for ULIP policyholders. However, the ULIP holders purchasing policies with premium of less than 2.5 lakh p.a. can continue to avail benefits under Section 10 (10D) and are not liable to pay any tax on maturity.
 
The decrease in TDS rate from 5% to 2% on policy payouts is anticipated to boost customers' liquidity, which is a welcome move.”

Saurabh Marda, Co-founder and Managing Director Freyr Energy
“The recent budget has been highly favorable for the energy sector, with the government setting an ambitious goal of achieving 500 GW of renewable power by 2030. A key component of this plan is encouraging homeowners to adopt solar energy, facilitating a swift transition to solar power. To support this, the government has allocated ₹70,000 crores in subsidies for homes that switch to solar energy. This is a crucial and forward-thinking initiative for the country's future, and we express our gratitude to the government for taking this significant step.”

Pankaj Jathar, Chief Executive Officer, NIIT Ltd.
“The budget announcement has laid a strong foundation for advancing education, skilling, and employment opportunities and is truly commendable. The allocation of Rs 2 lakh crore for the five employment and skilling schemes, along with Rs 1.48 lakh crore for education, employment, and skilling, underscores the government's dedication to the country’s youth and its commitment to propel growth. The new centrally sponsored scheme aimed at skilling 20 lakh youth over five years will significantly contribute to fostering a skilled workforce. This significant step is the need of the hour to bridge the gap between education and the skills essential to equip the youth to be industry-ready. These initiatives will help us maximize our education and skilling efforts, propelling the next phase of growth for the Indian economy.”

Baba Kalyani, Chairman & MD, Bharat Forge Ltd.  
“I congratulate the Hon’ble Finance Minister for an excellent budget that lays strong emphasis on strengthening the fundamental pillars that would propel Indian economy towards a Viksit Bharat.
The focus on natural farming and agricultural productivity, incentivizing job creation and employment, continued impetus to bolster MSMEs, modernizing urban cities and policies aimed at accelerating India’s energy transition will have a long-standing affect that would significantly improve economic resilience in an otherwise volatile world economy. I would also particularly commend the fresh-thinking and approach of the government in ‘Skilling’ and ‘Urban development’ both of which demanded urgent attention.
Infrastructure creation, which is a direct contributor to India’s competitiveness and positioning as a favoured investment destination, has been the hallmark of Prime Minister Modi’s governments; continued attention towards roads, ports, plug & play industrial parks, irrigation projects and affordable housing is noteworthy. Special thrust given on promoting Tourism is a welcome move which would have a great multiplier effect on local economies.
I greatly appreciate the operationalization of Anusandhan NRF and the exclusive venture-fund for Space segment. More importantly, the 1-lakh crore financing pool to bolster private sector driven research and innovation at commercial scale will have a great impact in transitioning India towards a Product’s Nation in the long-term.
While the budget allocation for Defence Industry is in expected lines, creation of the Critical Minerals Mission and articulation of India’s strategy on Small Modular Nuclear Reactors will go a long way in bolstering the AatmaNirbhar Bharat agenda.
We are all greatly inspired by the vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and I am confident that these initiatives collectively signal a robust blueprint for India’s progressive, integrated and inclusive development.”

Gautam Hari Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director, Raymond.
“The investments in the nine priority sectors announced in the Budget is a testimony of Government’s commitment to the nation’s progress and would boost the country’s overall economy and business sentiments. The Government’s focus on the overall macro-economic progress of the country such as planning to bring down fiscal deficit to 4.5% of the GDP by next year, decreasing basic customs duties across industries, bringing in new tax regime and is praiseworthy and aim to promote rapid and balanced economic growth and efficient resource allocation.”

Gautam Hari Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director, Raymond Group.
“On the measures on the real estate front, which include an increase in deduction limit for home loans, builders being given the option to pay GST at a concessional rate and the push for affordable and middle-income housing, under the PM Awas Yojana Urban 2.0 would enhance affordability for homebuyers. These would also provide an increase in momentum for housing demand, apart from encouraging developers to focus on affordable housing projects.”

 
Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta Ltd. on the Union Budget 2024-25
“The focus on job creation with three innovative employment-linked schemes is timely. The abolition of angel tax will give a big boost to our startups and young entrepreneurs who are the job creators of the future. The commitment to speed up IBC resolution will lead to 12000 businesses restarting operations and many more jobs. I am also delighted to see the announcement related to Critical Minerals Mission. India must explore, mine and process these metals of the future domestically.”