New Delhi [India]: Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition has strongly criticized the Union Budget 2025, alleging that its primary objective is to benefit a select group of 20-25 billionaires while neglecting the broader population.
He also dismissed the much-publicized income tax exemption of up to ₹12 lakh, which was among the key highlights of the budget.
“The budget was presented today, and its target was to benefit 25 people. They will give you a little, waive a little tax, but if you see the real target of the budget, it is to provide India’s wealth to 20-25 billionaires. In India, 50 percent are backward classes, 15 percent are Dalits, 8 percent are tribals, 15 percent are minorities, and suppose 5 percent are from poor general-class people,” he stated at a public meeting in Delhi’s Sadar Bazar.
The Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition also pointed out the “inadequate representation” of marginalized communities in key institutions across the country.
“Look at the owners of private hospitals, colleges, universities, big companies. Take out the list of top judges and show me how many are from the backward classes, Dalits, tribals, or minorities. How many are from the poor general class? These are the elected people, these are their friends,” he said.
Meanwhile, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2025 in the Lok Sabha, outlining a roadmap for India’s economic growth, with a strong focus on agriculture, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), investments, and exports.
One of the major announcements was the income tax exemption on earnings up to ₹12 lakh, providing significant relief to middle-class taxpayers.
“To taxpayers with normal income up to ₹12 lakh (excluding special rate income such as capital gains), a tax rebate is being provided in addition to the benefits from slab rate reductions, ensuring that they owe no tax,” Sitharaman declared during her speech.
This announcement was met with loud applause from the treasury benches, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.