In a historic moment, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered her shortest budget speech ever on February 1, 2024, presenting the interim budget for the government. Lasting precisely 58 minutes, this speech marks a significant departure from her previous records. Until now, her shortest speech among the six budgets presented was in 2023, where she spoke for 87 minutes.
Record-Breaking Duration:
The concise 58-minute speech commenced at 11 am, concluding in under an hour, setting a new benchmark for brevity. Sitharaman’s ability to convey key budgetary highlights in such a succinct manner stands out, reflecting a departure from her lengthier addresses in previous years.
Comparison of Budget Durations:
– 2019: 2 hours 17 minutes (137 minutes)
– 2020: 2 hours 40 minutes (160 minutes)
– 2021: 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes)
– 2022: 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes)
– 2023: 1 hour 27 minutes (87 minutes)
– 2024: 58 minutes (Shortest)
Budget Speech Records:
Sitharaman holds the distinction of delivering the longest budget speech in India, a 2.40-hour marathon in 2020. However, her latest feat showcases a remarkable shift towards brevity, keeping the audience engaged for less than an hour.
Historical Context:
The record for the shortest budget speech remains with Hirubhai Mulljibhai Patel, who presented the Union Budget in 1977 with a mere 800 words. In contrast, the lengthiest budget speech by word count is attributed to Manmohan Singh in 1991, containing 18,650 words.
Political and Ideological Significance:
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor acknowledged Sitharaman’s achievement, highlighting it as one of the shortest speeches on record. The decision to keep the budget speech brief aligns with the government’s plan to present a detailed roadmap for “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) in the upcoming full budget session scheduled for July.
Focus on Viksit Bharat by 2047:
The interim budget emphasizes the government’s commitment to achieving a Developed India by 2047, focusing on all-round development that is inclusive and pervasive. Prime Minister Modi’s belief in prioritizing the empowerment and welfare of four major castes—Poor, Women, Youth, and Farmers—is reflected in the government’s approach outlined by Sitharaman.
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