Abheek Barua, Chief Economist, HDFC Bank
The interim Budget continues to focus on infrastructure building - setting an allocation of Rs 11.1 lakh crore for FY25, along with targeting inclusive growth. The government continues to remain fiscally prudent, estimating the fiscal deficit at 5.8 per cent for FY24 and a further reduction in the fiscal deficit target to 5.1 per cent for FY25 in its effort to achieve the medium-term target of 4.5 per cent by FY26. This is positive for the bond market.