Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025 that a customs cleanup was her next big assignment for India.

The FM was in a conversation with editor-in-chief at Hindustan Times, R Sukumar, at the 23rd edition of the HTLS, where she answered what's coming next for India.

FM interview LIVE: Concerned about budget, says FM on freebies

Speaking about freebies during election promises, Sitharaman said, “Some states borrow, high cost loans, to dole out freebies. We are talking to state ministries on how they can restructure loans to manage the economy.”

She said that she was concerned about the fact that the budget of these states will not be able to afford the freebies.

FM interview LIVE: Sitharaman lists hurdles govt has overcome

Speak

See Full Page