“Budget ensures pockets of the common people are always full…”: PM Modi Congratulates FM Sitharaman for Formulating a “People-Centric” Budget

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for rolling out a “people-centric” 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, and 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 newcomers 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 the opposition in the Lok Sabha.​