"Band-aid for bullet wounds...": Rahul Gandhi Slams the Union Budget; Accuses Govt of Failing to Address Economic Crisis

[3:51 pm, 1/2/2025] Titas NTT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for rolling out a “people-centic” budget, that will be “highly beneficial” for the middle classes and salaried persons. Sitharaman delivered her record eighth budget speech that focuses on the manufacturing, nuclear, agriculture, tourism sectors, amongst others.

“I congratulate Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for rolling out a people friendly budget…Usually, budgets are centered around policies and investments that ensure that the government’s coffers are always full. However, this budget is different. It is a people centric budget, it ensures that the pockets of the common people are always full,” said the Prime Minister.

In her speech, the Union Finance Minister also announced a significant overhaul of the income tax structure, offering tax exemptions for annual incomes up to ₹12 lakh. PM Modi stated that this move will greatly benefit the common people of the country. “People earning up to ₹12 lakh will no longer have to pay income taxes. In addition, tax rates have been reduced for people across all income slabs. The middle class and salaried persons are going to greatly benefit from it. This measure will especially be helpful for the new comers who have just stepped into the professional world,” said Narendra Modi.

However, the Union Budget has drawn criticism for allegedly favoring NDA-ruled states like Bihar while neglecting the Opposition states.

Several opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, criticized the budget, calling it “anti-people” and alleging that it disproportionately benefits states aligned with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

“A band-aid for bullet wounds! Amid global uncertainty, solving our economic crisis demanded a paradigm shift. But this government is bankrupt of ideas,” said Rahul Gandhi, Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha.
[5:04 pm, 1/2/2025] Titas NTT: "Band-aid for bullet wounds...": Rahul Gandhi Slams the Union Budget; Accuses Govt of Failing to Address Economic Crisis

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday critiqued the Union Budget, accusing the government of failing to address India’s economic crisis effectively.

Taking to social media platform "X," Gandhi described the budget as “a band-aid for bullet wounds,” stating that solving the economic crisis required a significant shift in policy, which he argued the government had failed to provide. “Amid global uncertainty, solving our economic crisis demanded a paradigm shift. But this government is bankrupt of ideas,” Gandhi posted.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also condemned the budget, claiming it was an attempt by the Modi government to fool the public. He highlighted that the government had collected ₹54.18 lakh crore in income tax from the middle class over the last decade. Now, with the exemption of up to ₹12 lakh, Kharge pointed out that taxpayers would only save ₹80,000 annually, or ₹6,666 per month. “That is, only ₹ 6,666 per month!” he said in a post on "X."

Kharge further criticised the rebranding of the 'Make in India' initiative, accusing the government of turning it into the National Manufacturing Mission to hide its flaws. He argued that many of the budget’s announcements were similarly designed to mislead the public. He also claimed that the budget did nothing for the youth, women, the poor, or minorities, adding, “Despite skyrocketing inflation, the budget of MGNREGA remains the same. Nothing has been done to increase the income of workers.”

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh pointed out that the budget failed to address major economic challenges. Ramesh identified four key crises facing the economy: stagnant real wages, lack of buoyancy in mass consumption, sluggish private investment, and a complicated GST system. “The Budget does NOTHING to address these illnesses. The only relief has been for income tax payers. What actual impact this will have on the economy remains to be seen,” he said.​