Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said the Union Budget for FY27 has focused on investment as a priority tool for boosting consumption, and the trajectory of fiscal deficit shows that the government’s priority is growth.
Interacting with the media after the 2026-27 Budget presentation, Sitharaman said the volatility in gold prices was due to global uncertainty, and many central banks were investing in gold. “It also shows that investors do not have confidence in any one particular currency. Hence, the rush to buy gold,” Sitharaman said.
Talking about hike in securities transaction tax (STT) on F&O trades, the minister said it was a “sort of deterrence so that people do not go headlong in speculative” derivative trading.
According to Sebi studies, over 90 per cent of retail investors’ trades in the F&O segment lead to losses, and the capital markets regulator has also taken steps to reduce volumes in the past.
Sustaining 7-8% growth priority: Sitharaman
- Sustaining a 7-8% economic growth is the government’s top priority, as it will benefit all citizens and create more jobs, Sitharaman said.
- In an interaction with college students, she said if economic growth was good, its fruits would reach all citizens.
Bankruptcy Bill to be tabled in 2nd half of Budget session starting March 9
Sitharaman on Monday said the government intends to introduce the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the second half of the Budget session beginning March 9 as the parliamentary committee had already submitted its report.