Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
- PC : PTI
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is all set to present the 7th consecutive Union Budget 2024 today while giving a glimpse of 10 years’ performance of the BJP-led government. She is a prominent Indian politician and a senior leader in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), currently holding the portfolios of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. Apart from this, Sitharaman is also a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha from Karnataka constituency.
FM Sitharaman presented the government's first Budget of its second term on July 5, 2019, maintaining tax relief for individuals earning up to Rs 5 lakh annually, initially proposed by her predecessor Piyush Goyal in the Interim Budget. She also introduced an increased surcharge for those with an annual taxable income of over Rs 2 crore, demonstrating her commitment to progressive taxation policies.
Education
FM Sitharaman completed her Bachelor's degree in Economics from Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu in 1980. She pursued a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi in 1984. She then enrolled
in a PhD program but wasn't able to finish as she had to move to London with her husband.
Political Career
Sitharaman's political career started with her joining the BJP in 2008. Prior to her appointment as the Finance Minister, Sitharaman served as Defence Minister from 2017 to 2019. In this period, she was instrumental in protecting the Modi administration from corruption allegations related to the Rafale aircraft purchase from France, a matter of concern for the Opposition before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Her persuasive defense in public and parliamentary settings was crucial in countering these claims, contributing to the BJP's victory in the elections. Moreover, she played a vital role in the BJP's manifesto writing committee for the 2019 elections.
In the interim Budget for 2024, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented a number of significant proposals. A major emphasis was placed on raising the capital expenditure goal, with a budget allocation of Rs 11.11 trillion. This large investment is aimed at enhancing infrastructure, promoting economic expansion, and generating jobs in various sectors. Another important step was the expansion of healthcare benefits under the Ayushman Bharat scheme to include ASHA and Anganwadi workers. This decision is anticipated to fortify the healthcare infrastructure at the local level and improve access to healthcare for a large number of Indians.
Important points at a glance
Name: Nirmala Sitharaman
Father's Name: Shri Narayanan Sitharaman
Mother's Name: Shrimati Savitri
Date of Birth: August 18, 1959
Place of Birth : Madurai (Tamil Nadu)
Spouse's Name : Dr. Parakala Prabhakar
Educational Qualification: M.A. (Economics), M.Phil, Educated at Seethalakshmi Ramaswamy College, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu and Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Profession: Economist and Political and Social Worker
