Chilean President Gabriel Boric is set to begin a five-day state visit to India on Tuesday, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit will focus on reviewing bilateral ties and discussing international issues of mutual interest, with meetings scheduled between Boric and Modi, as well as President Droupadi Murmu. Additionally, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will launch a portal providing comprehensive data on socio-economic and fiscal parameters of Indian states, while the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea challenging the validity of a provision of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.
Maharashtra's Finance Minister Ajit Pawar has caused controversy by revealing that he did not disclose the true financial burden of the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He stated that their priority was forming the government and it was not his duty to reveal the truth. He also addressed his now-infamous "wandering soul" comment about Sharad Pawar and the impact it had on the elections. This admission has sparked debates about the transparency of the government's promises and financial management.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticizes Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's decision to remove the rupee symbol from the state's 2025-26 Budget logo, calling it an example of language and regional chauvinism. She points out that the rupee symbol was officially adopted in 2010 when the DMK was part of the ruling alliance at the Centre and warns that this decision reflects a dangerous mindset that weakens Indian unity. Sitharaman also reminds elected representatives of their constitutional duty to uphold the nation's sovereignty and integrity.
Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presents the first budget of the union territory after six years, calling it a roadmap for economic growth and a true reflection of its people's aspirations. The CM also credits Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for their support in various sectors. In his budget speech, CM Abdullah emphasizes the resilience and determination of the region and pledges to transform it into a modern, progressive, and economically vibrant one.
In a significant move by the Chhattisgarh government, petrol prices have been reduced by one rupee, benefiting the people of the state. Finance Minister O P Choudhary emphasized that the budget is focused on knowledge welfare and aims to bring progress through a speed strategy. The budget also includes plans to adopt the National Education Policy, establish Chhattisgarh Institutes of Technology, and develop infrastructure. However, opposition leader Bhupesh Baghel criticized the budget for not addressing issues such as farmer welfare and unemployment.
In his budget presentation, Chhattisgarh's Finance Minister OP Chaudhary announced a budget of Rs 1.65 lakh crore for the upcoming financial year, with a focus on accelerating economic growth and modernization. The budget, based on the theme of 'GATI', aims to achieve the state's medium-term goals by 2030 and its long-term vision of a developed Chhattisgarh by 2047. It includes initiatives such as the Chief Minister Mobile Tower Scheme and the establishment of a NIFT, as well as schemes to support women's empowerment, rural housing, and agricultural prosperity. Additionally, there will be no new taxes imposed and revenue is expected to increase by 11% without increasing the burden on citizens.
Bihar's Finance Minister Samrat Choudhary presented a budget of Rs 3.15 lakh crore in the state Assembly, with a significant increase from the previous year. The budget prioritizes the education sector with an allocation of Rs 60,954 crore, along with a boost for healthcare and the home department. In line with the government's focus on women's empowerment, the budget also includes initiatives such as a women's marketplace, pink toilets, and pink buses. The government will also provide job opportunities and housing facilities for women, including women constables near police stations.
In a written reply to Congress MLAs, Gujarat's Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai stated that the state's public debt stands at over Rs 3.77 lakh crore, with over Rs 48,000 crore paid as interest in the past two years alone. The government has borrowed from financial institutions, market loans, and the central government, drawing criticism from opposition Congress for burdening the people of the state.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents a paperless budget on a tablet, it's her record 8th budget. The budget, which is politically driven according to former finance minister P Chidambaram, includes meetings with entertainment icons for the WAVES Summit and a call for global AI governance at the Paris Summit by PM Modi. Additionally, PM Modi reveals his vision for a Deregulation Commission, aimed at reducing bureaucracy and promoting economic growth in India. The budget also includes an economic outlook for India, presented in the Economic Survey 2024-25.
Pakistani Finance and Revenue Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, has been invited by his Saudi counterpart to attend the two-day Emerging Markets Conference-2025, which aims to foster discussions on building resilience and sustainable economic growth. The high-profile gathering includes IMF's managing director and finance ministers from Egypt, Brazil, and Turkiye. Senator Aurangzeb will also participate in a high-level panel discussion and this conference is set to become an annual platform for shaping global economic discourse and cooperation.