Capex-driven, growth-oriented Budget sets narrative for FY23, | Start Learning

Capex-driven, growth-oriented Budget sets narrative for FY23, the year of normalisation, says Sampath Reddy of Bajaj Allianz

The equity markets have cheered the Budget with it being growth-oriented, however, the bond markets have seen some hardening in yields due to the higher-than-expected fiscal deficit and government borrowing

Sampath Reddy, Chief Investment Officer, Bajaj Allianz Life
This is a capex-oriented Budget with great emphasis on promoting domestic manufacturing and building infrastructure and also expanding the new-age digital and technology sectors.

The government has significantly increased the capital expenditure Budget to Rs 7.5 lakh crore in FY23 while keeping the fiscal deficit target to 6.4 percent of GDP, which will support the economy over a longer period and also encourage private investments.

Focus on capital expenditure: The Centre's capex spending is expected to increase by 41.4 percent YoY in FY22RE (revised estimate) to Rs 6.02 lakh crore against 27 percent YoY increase seen in FY21. Even in FY23, capex is expected to further increase by 24.5 percent.


This year's Budget has focused on improving the investment demand, through enhanced public spending on infra which would crowd in private investment. On the other hand, revenue spending growth is expected to ease, noting only 2.7 percent increase in FY22RE to Rs 31.7 lakh crore compared with 31.2 percent increase in FY21.


Even in FY23, revenue spending is estimated to increase by only 0.9 percent. Hence, consumption demand would still be a laggard in FY23.

Higher than estimated FY22 fiscal deficit: The revised fiscal deficit target for FY22 is now at 6.9 percent, higher than the budgeted estimate of 6.8 percent. This is mainly owing to higher than projected for both revenue spending and capex. Government has increased the revenue and capex expenditure upwards by Rs 2.4 lakh crore and Rs 0.5 lakh crore respectively in FY22 revised estimates.

Robust revenue collections, supported by rebound in economic activity have allowed fiscal slippage to be minimal. Centre's tax revenues are expected to rise by 23.8 percent in FY22RE to Rs 17.7 lakh crore from budgeted estimate of Rs 15.5 lakh crore. Non-tax revenues are also expected to overshoot the BE by Rs 70,000 crore, while capital receipts are estimated to miss the target by Rs 88,000 crore.


Due to lower than anticipated disinvestment proceeds. Hence, total receipts are expected to come in Rs 2.0 lakh crore higher than the BE at Rs 21.8 lakh crore. Fiscal deficit target for FY23 (BE - budgeted estimates) at 6.4 percent is higher than market expectations (6-6.25 percent).

Higher fiscal deficit to put pressure on yield: In FY23BE, gross borrowing is estimated at Rs 14.3 lakh crore against Rs 10.47 lakh crore in FY22RE.

Even repayments are likely to be higher at Rs 3.2 lakh crore compared to Rs 2.7 lakh crore in FY22RE. Thus, net borrowing amounts to Rs 11.19 lakh crore, far higher compared to Rs 7.76 lakh crore in FY22RE. Interest cost is also likely to be elevated at Rs 9.4 lakh crore in FY23BE against Rs 8.14 lakh crore in FY22RE. Hence, the growing debt burden and expansive borrowing program will put pressure on yields.

Taxation:(a) There has not been much change in personal income tax slabs and rates and also corporate tax rates. The surcharge on LTCGs (long term capital gains) for all of the assets has been streamlined at 15 percent.(b) Tax incentives initiated in 2019 for new manufacturing units at 15 percent rate has been extended by one more year.



The tax incentives for the startup ecosystem has been extended by one year. This would further help in boosting domestic manufacturing and startup ecosystem.


(c) Scheme for taxation of Virtual Digital Asset: 30 percent (No deduction of expenses & set off available except for cost of acquisition). This will harmonize the trading of the digital assets.