Is the Government’s Multi-Pronged Strategy Enhancing Consumption and Growth?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Multi-faceted strategy to enhance consumption is in effect.
- New income tax exemptions and GST rate cuts are key measures.
- Focus on balanced growth between rural and urban areas.
- Programs like PM-KISAN and PM Awas Yojana support rural income.
- GDP is projected to grow by 8.2% in the upcoming quarter.
New Delhi, Dec 8 (NationPress) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in Parliament on Monday that the government is implementing a multi-faceted strategy aimed at enhancing consumption within the economy. This approach combines demand-boosting initiatives, supply-side income-enhancing measures, and structural reforms, all contributing to the overall growth of GDP.
In a written answer to a Lok Sabha inquiry, she detailed various policy measures, including the new income tax exemption for individuals earning up to Rs 12 lakh, recent reductions in GST rates, ongoing efforts to simplify business operations, promote skilling, generate employment, and develop infrastructure. Additionally, expanded access to credit through schemes like MUDRA and PMSVANidhi is anticipated to further stimulate economic consumption.
The Finance Minister also highlighted that the government is focused on achieving balanced growth between rural and urban consumption.
Programs aimed at urban livelihoods and skill development, combined with tax incentives and the expansion of digital payments in city areas, are enhancing consumption in these regions. Simultaneously, significant programs such as PM-KISAN, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, PM Awas Yojana (Gramin), agricultural productivity missions, and Self Help Group initiatives are driving income growth across rural sectors.
This boost in consumption demand is expected to positively influence overall economic activity by supporting household incomes, fostering private investment, and strengthening economic growth, according to Sitharaman.
She further noted that data compiled by the National Statistics Office (NSO) shows an increase in the share of Private Final Consumption Expenditure in GDP from 62.2 percent in Q2 of 2024-25 to 62.5 percent in Q2 of 2025-26, with growth in constant price terms rising from 6.4 percent to 7.9 percent during the same period.
Moreover, the GDP at constant prices is projected to grow by 8.2 percent in the second quarter (Q2) of 2025-26, compared to 5.6 percent in Q2 of 2024-25 and 7.8 percent in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025-26, indicating an accelerating growth trend in the economy, she added.