Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has outlined the government's focus on youth, women, farmers, and the poor ahead of the upcoming interim Budget presentation in Parliament. Stressing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks, she highlighted the need for uplifting these groups regardless of caste, community, or religion.

"Our priority is the youth, women, farmers, and the poor. We aim to uplift them without discriminating based on caste, community, or religion," she stated in press briefing on January 25.

Sitharaman emphasized ensuring eligible individuals receive necessary support while also promoting local talent and products. She highlighted plans to modernize post-harvest practices and boost manufacturing, with a strong focus on research and development (R&D) and expert advisory.

Furthermore, the Finance Minister disclosed collaborative efforts between the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to enhance the central bank digital currency (CBDC) for smoother cross-border payments. This initiative aims to streamline transactions at lower costs, making remittances more affordable.

Addressing concerns over the Indian economy's performance, Sitharaman challenged the perception of it being "sick." Despite India's status as the fastest-growing major economy and positive indicators in the corporate sector and stock market, she urged critics to substantiate their claims with evidence.

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