Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Feb 1: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh characterized Budget 2025 as a forward-thinking initiative, featuring groundbreaking proposals aimed at involving the private sector in Nuclear Projects and facilitating private investment in Nuclear Power projects. He emphasized that this announcement will resonate worldwide, demonstrating the same bold vision shown by PM Modi when he opened the Space sector to private participation, resulting in remarkable outcomes in just a few years.
Speaking to various media outlets today, Dr. Singh noted that the Union Budget 2025-26 highlights the government’s sensitivity and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s future-oriented vision. The budget’s consideration for the middle class, including tax relief and duty exemptions on essential life-saving drugs, alongside long-term initiatives like the Nuclear Mission, Small Modular Reactors, Green Tech Mission, and a Centre of Excellence for AI, underscores its comprehensive foresight.
He stated that these measures mark a significant step toward achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047 and enhancing India’s status on the global stage. Dr. Singh praised the budget for its focus on improving living standards and supporting businesses, describing it as citizen-centric, blending technology with tradition.
The Minister referred to the budget as revolutionary, especially due to proposed amendments to the Atomic Energy Act aimed at increasing private sector involvement—similar to prior actions taken by the Prime Minister in the space sector. He further elaborated that the Nuclear Energy Mission envisioned by the Prime Minister, announced by the Finance Minister, is set to enrich India’s dynamic economy, foster green energy, and position the country as a global leader in this field. While some benefits may take time to materialize, they are expected to fundamentally influence the entire world in ways previously unimagined for India.
Commending the Union Budget for initiating a transformative shift in global perceptions of the country within the nuclear energy arena, Dr. Singh noted the ambitious target of generating 100 Gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2047, signaling to the world that India is taking the lead rather than following.
He also highlighted advancements in the agricultural sector through a Rs. 20,000 crore allocation for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and a commitment to develop a minimum of five SMRs by 2033, showcasing a blend of scientific support for farmers.
The Union Minister pointed out additional funding for startup initiatives (increased by Rs. 10,000 crore), plans to establish 50,000 more Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools over the next five years, a boosted Maritime Development Fund with a corpus of Rs. 25,000 crore, and an allocation of Rs. 20,000 crore for enhancing Research and Development as well as innovation—all aimed at fostering technology-driven development to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047.
