Budget projection of 10.5 pc nominal GDP reasonable: DEA secy

Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth on Wednesday said the Budget has assumed a reasonable nominal GDP growth rate of 10.5 per cent as higher assumption could have led to a larger fiscal deficit. «As far as the current year is concerned, fiscal prudence places the demand on us that we are realistic or a bit conservative in assuming what the potential revenues may be while at the same time provide adequate provisions for productive priorities of the government. That is what this Budget does,» he told PTI in a post-Budget interview.

#Budget' 2024 with ET

Budget Highlights: Your 2-minute guide

Tax tweaks, jobs & more: All that FM announced in Budget

FM 's plan for Viksit Bharat: A look at key numbers

Between the interim Budget to this Budget, he said there is a higher provision by about Rs 90,000 crore, including for newer schemes.
In that context, he said, «10.5 per cent we feel is a reasonable estimate of nominal growth in the economy. Because any higher assumptions would then require us to assume more revenues to come and if those revenues don't come in, then we ended up with a higher fiscal deficit.»

That means more borrowings and it creates its own set of problems, he said, adding it is better to have conservative estimates.

Modi Budget prioritizes jobless voters who spurned him at polls

Budget 2024: 7 proposals that will cheer the Indian consumers

Budget 2024 shakes up tax rules, hitting stocks, properties, and gold

India defends a Budget move that took away major tax benefit

Buoyed by improvement in