Budget 2022: Covid-hit fiscal deficit abating

The year FY21 saw a sharp rise in fiscal deficit to 9.3% of GDP as government borrowed heavily to finance Covid-19 relief measures. FY23 Budget will take the process of normalisation started in FY22 forward. The target is to bring fiscal deficit down to 4.5% of GDP by FY26. Capital expenditure as percentage of GDP, rising since FY12, is likely to be bumped up further as government goes all out to build infrastructure in order to stimulate the economy and provide jobs and relief to the common man.