PM Modi Highlights Tax Relief in Latest Budget, Critiques Congress Era
On February 2, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in RK Puram, New Delhi, and took the opportunity to criticize the Congress party, referencing the tax policies of former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. He emphasized how their governments placed heavy tax burdens on citizens, contrasting that with the recent budget announcements made by his government.
During his speech, PM Modi pointed out that under Congress, earning ₹12 lakh resulted in paying a substantial ₹2.6 lakh in taxes. He explained, “In Nehru Ji’s time, if your income was ₹12 lakh, you would lose almost a quarter of that to taxes. The situation was even worse during Indira Ji’s era, where nearly ₹10 lakh would be taken away in taxes.”
The Prime Minister celebrated the new budget released by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, which declares that individuals earning up to ₹12 lakh per year would not have to pay any income tax. Modi highlighted this change as a significant relief for the middle class, stating, “Now, someone with the same ₹12 lakh income will pay zero tax, thanks to our government’s efforts.”
Additionally, he noted that with a standard deduction of ₹75,000 in place, the effective tax-free income limit rises to ₹12.75 lakh. Sitharaman’s announcement included the clear message that no income tax will be levied on earnings up to ₹12 lakh, marking a considerable shift from previous years.
This latest budget is seen as a step toward providing greater financial relief to taxpayers, especially those from the middle-income groups.
