The Government of India has presented the Union Budget 2026. Now on Wednesday (February 4), Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman talked to ABP News regarding this. He said that the government has presented the future budget. The aim is to expand small industries. This is the first interview of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman after Budget 2026.
During this, he kept a blue print regarding the policies of the government. Also, regarding the trade deal with America, he has said that the agreement has not been signed yet. Apart from this, he has reacted to the statement of the US Agriculture Minister.
Final signature on trade deal has not been done yet: Finance Minister
On the statement of the US Agriculture Minister, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, ‘The final trade deal has not been signed yet. Whenever there is any update regarding this, it will be known clearly. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal made it clear that the interests of agriculture and dairy sector will be protected. Our minister made this statement clear in the Parliament. The rest will happen after the final agreement.
‘The budget we give is fully utilized’
While answering the questions of ABP News regarding the budget, the Finance Minister said, ‘The budget we give is completely utilized. The government has presented the future budget. We have planned for 25 years. He said that expenditure depends on the capacity of every state. Last year’s benefit on income tax is being received this year.
What did Nirmala Sitharaman say on banking sector, small industries, rare earth in India?
Nirmala Sitharaman said, ‘The situation of banking in India is strong. Participation of the people of the country is necessary in every scheme. The objective of the government is to expand small industries. Self-reliance is our priority. Jobs will be available in the Rare Earth Corridor. Our government took many strong decisions for MSMEs. There are 7 such sectors which have an important role in making India self-reliant.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s first interview after ‘Budget 2026’ LIVE & EXCLUSIVE @nsitharaman | @MeghaSPrasad#Budget2026 #NirmalaSitharaman #BudgetOnABP
— ABP News (@ABPNews) February 4, 2026
What did Nirmala Sitharaman say on income tax exemption and India’s economic condition?
The Finance Minister said, ‘How should I give the exemption in income tax again before the benefits of the exemption we gave in income tax last year will be available this year? If I increase each person’s income from Rs 7.76 lakh to Rs 8 lakh, then you can say increase it to 9 or 10. After giving so much exemption of Rs 4 lakh, how can I give exemption in income tax this year also?
He said, ‘Our economy is very strong at this time. IMF, World Bank said that India’s growth is very good.
