India, March 26 -- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said the Union Budget has taken several "facilitative" measures for the middle class and MSMEs, and the Government is moving forward with reforms not out of compulsion, but with conviction and clarity.

Replying to the debate on Finance Bill 2026 in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said the fiscal deficit is projected to come down to 4.3 per cent of GDP in FY27, from 9.3 per cent in FY21, and the country's debt-to-GDP ratio is on a declining path and is lower than most major economies.

The Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill 2026 by a voice vote after including 32 Government amendments.

The Finance Bill, 2026, Sitharaman said, rests on five key principles - trust-based tax admin...