In an interview to Mint and HT, FM Nirmala Sitharaman explained the philosophy behind the new Income Tax bill, what the government is doing to ensure regulators don’t operate in silos, how the government is trying to diversify export markets and the plan to reach 8% GDP growth.

The budget does not offer a realistic road map to resolve the critical problems of unemployment, poor pay packages and underskilling.

A Union Cabinet meeting begins ahead of Budget presentation in the Lok Sabha. Nirmala Sitharaman Speech LIVE: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman r