Understanding Budget 2024: One should know these key terms

As the nation gears up for the Interim Budget 2024, it becomes imperative to grasp essential terms that will shape the fiscal discourse. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is poised to present a comprehensive overview on February 1, 2024. 

Union Budget: A comprehensive financial blueprint

The Union Budget, often referred to as the Annual Financial Statement (AFS), serves as a comprehensive document elucidating the government's financial dealings throughout the fiscal year. As mandated by Article 112 of the Constitution, it encompasses critical financial indicators that necessitate parliamentary approval.

Economic Survey: Prelude to the Budget

The Economic Survey, preceding the Union Budget, provides a detailed retrospective of the Indian economy for the preceding financial year and offers insights into the economic outlook. This document sets the stage for the budget, providing context and rationale for the financial decisions that follow.

Inflation: The economic thermometer

Inflation, expressed as a percentage, gauges the rate at which prices for goods and services surge within an economy. Understanding inflation is crucial, as a surge can lead to a decrease in a country's currency value and purchasing power, impacting the overall economic landscape.

Divestment: Strategic asset management

Divestment involves the strategic sale of existing assets, a significant component in fiscal planning. Distinguishable from capital expenditure (capex), divestment focuses on optimising existing holdings rather than acquiring new physical assets.

Fiscal Policy: Navigating economic conditions

Fiscal policy entails estimated taxation and government spending, serving as a potent tool to influence economic conditions such as aggregate demand, employment, inflation, and economic growth.

Fiscal Deficit: Balancing act in expenditure

A fiscal deficit occurs when the government's total expenditure surpasses total revenue, excluding external borrowings. The ideal limit, often set at 4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is crucial to maintaining a stable economic framework.

Revenue Deficit: Aligning income projections

A revenue deficit arises when the government's net income falls short of projections, while a revenue surplus is the opposite. Plan and non-plan expenditures are key components, with non-plan expenses involving substantial government budgetary spending.

Capital Expenditure: Building for the future

Capital expenditure (capex) signifies funds utilized by the government for the acquisition, maintenance, or enhancement of physical assets. A long-term investment, capex covers costs associated with asset building, including development and infrastructural projects.

Customs Duty: Financial implications at borders

Customs duty is a tariff imposed on specific goods upon import or export. Unlike Goods and Services Tax (GST), the government can make adjustments to customs duty during the budget presentation, making it a vital aspect of fiscal planning.

Goods and Services Tax (GST): Beyond budgetary disclosures

GST alterations, unlike customs duty, are not revealed during the budget presentation. Decisions regarding changes to GST slabs and structures rest with the GST Council, highlighting the intricate interplay of fiscal mechanisms.