Sat Feb 01 12:02:40 IST 2025: **India’s Union Budget 2025: Nuclear Power Push and Electricity Sector Reforms**
NEW DELHI, Feb 1, 2025 – Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled a new budget focused on accelerating growth and inclusive development, with a significant emphasis on boosting India’s nuclear power sector and reforming its electricity distribution system.
The budget proposes a “Nuclear Mission for Viksit Bharat,” aiming for 100 GW of nuclear power generation by 2047. To achieve this, the government plans to amend the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act to encourage private sector participation. Furthermore, ₹20,000 crore (approximately $2.4 billion USD) will be allocated for research and development of small modular reactors, with at least five indigenously designed reactors expected to be operational by 2033.
To improve the financial health of electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs), the budget includes incentives for distribution reforms. States will receive an additional 0.05% of their Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) contingent on implementing these reforms.
Sitharaman highlighted India’s strong economic growth, stating that the country is the fastest-growing among major global economies. The budget aims to invigorate private investment, uplift household sentiments, and empower the rising middle class, with particular focus on the needs of the poor, youth, farmers, and women.
The presentation of the budget was briefly disrupted by opposition protests related to President Murmu’s address the previous day.
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