‘Every family happy’: PM Modi hails Union Budget as ‘middle class friendly’
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the Union Budget, calling it the “most middle class friendly Budget in India’s history” and asserting that it has brought happiness to every family.
Speaking at a rally in Delhi ahead of the assembly elections on February 5, PM Modi pointed out the significant relief offered to those earning up to Rs 12 lakh, saying that such benefits have never been granted since India’s Independence.
“Since the budget was announced yesterday, the entire middle class has been saying that this is the most middle-class friendly budget in the history of India. Every family in India is brimming with happiness and enthusiasm. Our government has completely zeroed income tax on earnings up to Rs 12 lakh. Since independence, no one earning Rs 12 lakh a year has ever received such significant relief from income tax,” the Prime Minister said.
“For a person with a salary of Rs 12 lakh during Jawaharlal Nehru’s time, one-fourth would have gone to tax. If Indira Gandhi’s government were in power today, Rs 10 lakh of your Rs 12 lakh would have gone to the government as tax. Even just 10-12 years ago, during the Congress era, if you had a salary of Rs 12 lakh, Rs 2,60,000 would have gone as tax. But after yesterday’s BJP government budget, those earning Rs 12 lakh will not have to pay a single rupee in tax,” PM Modi highlighted.
Launching an attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi, PM Modi accused it of making false promises and indulging in corruption, which he claimed has led to the closure of factories in the capital. He warned that those responsible for “looting the people” would be held accountable.
“While on one hand is ‘AAP-da’, which stands for false promises, on the other is ‘Modi’s guarantees’,” he said, taking a swipe at the ruling party.
PM Modi also linked the Budget’s welfare measures to his broader governance vision, stating that his government at the Centre has focused on strengthening four key pillars: the poor, farmers, youth, and women. He asserted that the Budget reflects his commitment to fulfilling these guarantees.
PM Modi expressed confidence in the BJP’s victory, asserting that Delhi has suffered under AAP rule for 11 years and now seeks a “double-engine government” that prioritizes development. He assured that under a BJP-led government, no slum would be demolished, nor would any welfare schemes be discontinued.
“You can note it down: the BJP government will be formed in Delhi on February 8, and by March 8, on International Women’s Day, women will start receiving Rs 2,500,” he stated, highlighting BJP’s welfare promises, particularly for senior citizens and women.
PM Modi also sought to connect with the significant Purvanchali population in Delhi, referencing his Lok Sabha constituency, Varanasi, and reaffirming the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s commitment to Bihar’s development through various Budget proposals.
PM Modi reiterated that his government makes decisions in alignment with their aspirations. He highlighted the Budget’s focus on employment-generating sectors such as tourism and manufacturing, emphasizing that these initiatives would directly benefit the youth.
Taking a jibe at AAP leader and former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, PM Modi said, “Those who live in ‘sheesh mahal’ (glass palaces) cannot relate to a poor family’s jhuggi or a middle-class family’s 2BHK flat.” He accused AAP of corruption in every sector, including healthcare, and claimed that even AAP leaders, including sitting MLAs denied tickets for the elections, were deserting the party due to growing public resentment.
“Feeling jittery, the AAP is making false announcements every day,” he added.