"The development of Chhattisgarh was under the shadow of corruption in the past few years but the power of democracy defeated these negative forces and ensured Chhattisgarh's contribution in the development journey of India," Choudhary said.

The six-time consecutive budget presenter, known for her marathon speeches, presented a departure from her previous durations, including the longest at 2 hours and 40 minutes in 2020.

Highlighting the multifaceted benefits, the Finance Minister underscored that these railway corridors would not only improve logistics efficiency but also contribute to cost reduction. 

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) is a social welfare program aimed at providing housing for the rural poor in India.

Presenting the interim Budget 2024-25, Sitharaman said tax receipts for 2024-25 projected is projected at Rs 26.02 lakh crore. She informed that the fiscal deficit in FY24 is expected at 5.8 per cent of GDP, down from 5.9 per cent estimated earlier. And no changes in tax rates for direct and indirect taxes, including import duties.

She posed for the traditional ‘briefcase’ picture outside her office, along with her team of officials, before heading to meet the President. She was holding a tablet instead of a briefcase to present the Budget in a digital format.

Read below for all updates of the interim budget presented by Finance minister nirmala Sitharaman

The Defense Budget emphasises the government's dedication to the nation’s security, war-readiness and veterans' welfare, crucial for maintaining morale and readiness within the armed forces.

This time, Sitharaman will equate the record of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai — he has the highest number of budgets presented, which stands at 10 — who had tabled six full-term budgets, including one interim in a row.

According to Article 112 of the Constitution, the Union Budget is an annual financial statement estimating the government's receipts and expenditures for a specific fiscal year. However, its inception and crafting require meticulous planning and coordination among various governmental bodies.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday exuded confidence that India will become the world's third largest economy worth over USD 5 trillion by 2027-28 and a developed nation by 2047, with GDP touching USD 30 trillion.