Feb 01, 2025
11:39 PM (IST)
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma hails tax relief, fertilizer factory announcement
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has expressed strong support for the Union Budget 2025, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighting key measures that benefit the middle class and the state’s development.
Feb 01, 2025
9:15 PM (IST)
Budget reflects PM Modi’s vision for Viksit Bharat: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami lauded the Union Budget 2025, describing it as a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s farsighted vision and commitment to building a Viksit Bharat.
Highlighting key provisions, Dhami emphasized that the budget caters to farmers, the poor, women, and the middle class, ensuring inclusive growth. “This is a budget that provides for every section of society and brings everyone forward,” he stated.
The Chief Minister particularly welcomed the government’s decision to exempt income tax up to ₹12 lakh, calling it a major boost for the middle class. “This move will significantly uplift middle-income groups and strengthen their financial stability,” he said.
Congratulating Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dhami reiterated that the budget paves the way for economic growth and development across all sectors.
Feb 01, 2025
7:50 PM (IST)
Congress leader P Chidambaram criticises Budget, claims ‘no relief for common people’
In response to the Union Budget 2025, Congress leader P. Chidambaram expressed concerns about the lack of relief for the general public, highlighting key areas where he felt the budget fell short. Speaking to the media, Chidambaram pointed out that the budget failed to address essential needs such as reducing GST, cutting petrol and diesel prices, increasing MGNREGA wages, and raising statutory minimum wages.
Feb 01, 2025
6:23 PM (IST)
Jaishankar hails Budget as ’employment-centric and growth-oriented’
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday praised the Union Budget 2025, calling it “forward-looking, employment-centric, and growth-oriented.” Taking to social media platform X, Jaishankar congratulated Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting a budget that aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Feb 01, 2025
4:51 PM (IST)
Budget empowers key sectors, lays foundation for ‘Viksit Bharat’: Kishan Reddy
Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy hailed the Union Budget 2025-26 as a visionary and transformative financial roadmap that empowers farmers, the middle class, women, and entrepreneurs. He emphasized that the budget lays a strong foundation for ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by driving economic reforms and promoting self-reliance.
Highlighting key reforms, Reddy stated that the budget enhances ‘Ease of Doing Business’, expands financial access for MSMEs and startups, and fosters a robust investment environment. These measures aim to stimulate economic growth and innovation across industries.
Feb 01, 2025
4:38 PM (IST)
FM Nirmala Sitharaman highlights tax reforms, responsive governance
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized that the government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, remains highly responsive to public concerns. She stated that reforms are driven by the needs and expectations of the people.
Sitharaman highlighted that the income tax simplification measures announced in July have been fully implemented, and the bill will be presented next week. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making taxation simpler and more efficient.
Feb 01, 2025
4:27 PM (IST)
Nirmala Sitharaman reaffirms commitment to capitale expenditure, fiscal prudence
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has assured that there is no reduction in public spending on capital expenditure, emphasizing the government’s continued focus on infrastructure and economic growth.
Sitharaman highlighted that capital expenditure by the government has had a strong multiplier effect on the economy, driving sustained growth. She reiterated that this approach will continue to be a key priority in economic planning.
Feb 01, 2025
4:15 PM (IST)
FM Nirmala Sitharaman highlights tax reforms, tariff simplification in Budget
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized that the Union Budget 2025 reflects the responsive governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She stated that the government listens to the concerns of the people and acts swiftly to address them.
Sitharaman pointed out that the income tax simplification announced in July has already been completed, and the new bill will be introduced in Parliament next week. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tax reforms aimed at easing compliance for taxpayers.
Feb 01, 2025
4:10 PM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
4:07 PM (IST)
Former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai calls Budget ‘growth-oriented
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has hailed the Union Budget 2025 as a growth-oriented budget, emphasizing its provisions for the agriculture and MSME sectors. He stated that the budget prioritizes rural development through an enhanced rural credit system, which will benefit farmers, rural women, and youth.
Feb 01, 2025
3:57 PM (IST)
CM Yogi Adityanath hails budget as a step towards ‘Viksit Bharat’
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has praised the Union Budget 2025, calling it a crucial step toward achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India). He highlighted that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, has structured the budget into four key parts to ensure balanced economic growth.
Feb 01, 2025
3:51 PM (IST)
A budget for all, says Hardeep Singh Puri
Speaking on the Union Budget 2025, Puri highlighted that it is an inclusive budget catering to all sections of society. Acknowledging past concerns about the middle class not receiving adequate relief, he noted that this budget provides significant benefits to them.
Puri also pointed out the budget’s emphasis on startups, artificial intelligence (AI), and advancements in healthcare, including cancer drug research. He called it a “budget for development,” aimed at fostering innovation and economic growth.
Feb 01, 2025
3:39 PM (IST)
JP Nadda hails Budget as ‘balanced and development-oriented’
Union Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda lauded the Union Budget 2025 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, calling it a “balanced, all-inclusive, and development-promoting” financial roadmap that aligns with the vision of a developed India.
Feb 01, 2025
2:50 PM (IST)
Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan will get momentum: PM Modi
“In the budget, priority has been given to all the sectors of employment in every way. I would like to discuss those reforms which are going to bring a big change in the coming times. Due to giving an infrastructure status, the construction of big ships in India will be encouraged, the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan will get momentum. We all know that SHIP building construction is the sector that gives maximum employment. Similarly, there is a lot of potential for tourism in the country. Hotels will be built at 50 important tourist stations, for the first time, by bringing hotels under the ambit of infrastructure, tourism will get a big boost. This will give energy to the hospitality sector, which is a very big sector of employment…”
Feb 01, 2025
2:41 PM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
2:40 PM (IST)
This is the budget of aspirations of 140 crore Indians: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Today is an important milestone in India’s development journey. This is the budget of aspirations of 140 crore Indians. This is a budget that fulfils the dreams of every Indian. We have opened many sectors for the youth. The common citizen is going to drive the mission of Viksit Bharat.”
Feb 01, 2025
2:36 PM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
2:31 PM (IST)
Provisions in this budget will provide new means of employment to the people: Piyush Goyal
Piyush Goyal said, “A lot of solutions have been given. Firstly when you give more disposable income to the middle class and money in their pockets, give a big relief in income tax, then from that convenience, growth gets a big fillip, a big encouragement. Along with that, many changes have been made in the sectors, especially the job-oriented sectors, leather, toile, textile, and tourism, the provisions in this budget will provide new means of employment to the people, and new facilities will be provided. Income levels will increase… In a way, whether it is the field of technology, manufacturing, agriculture, or tourism, by giving some benefit and facility to everyone, an inclusive balanced budget has been prepared with very strategic thinking, under a well-thought-out strategy, this budget is the budget of 140 crore countrymen…”
Feb 01, 2025
2:27 PM (IST)
All sections of the society have been taken care of in this budget: Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “The budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is a great budget to realize the dream of developed India. All sections of the society have been taken care of in this budget. This budget is going to promote the development of youth, poor, farmers, women and all sections and sectors of society…In the budget for the financial year 2025-26, more than Rs 6.81 lakh crore has been allocated to the Defence Ministry, which is about 9.5 per cent more than last year’s budget allocation and modernisation of defence forces has been the priority of our government and for this also, a capital allocation of Rs 1.80 lakh crore has been made in 2025-26, which will increase the capacity of our forces more than ever before…”
Feb 01, 2025
2:23 PM (IST)
I think this is a budget that touches every sector: Chirag Paswan
Union Minister Chirag Paswan said, “…I would like to thank PM Modi and FM Nirmala Sitharaman as this Budget strengthens the idea of building a developed country with which we are going forward. This Budget has provisions to bridge the gap between rich and poor as well as villages and cities. Handholding of youth, women and middle class is being done and the same has been mentioned…I think this is a budget that touches every sector…I would like to especially thank the Finance Minister for the infrastructure development announced for Bihar, greenfield airport was mentioned, expansion of airport was announced, expansion of IIT Patna was announced…New tax slabs were announced with the idea that people are left with more money in their hands. Overall, this is a beautiful and strong budget.”
Feb 01, 2025
2:20 PM (IST)
Middle class home loans and vehicle loans should be waived off: Kejriwal
Kejriwal said, “A large part of the country’s treasury is spent on waiving off the loans of a few rich billionaires. I had demanded that it be announced in the budget that from now on, the loans of any billionaire will not be waived off. With the money saved from this,
1. Middle class home loans and vehicle loans should be waived off; farmers’ loans should be waived off.
2. Income tax and GST tax rates should be halved.
I am sad this was not done.”
Feb 01, 2025
2:10 PM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
1:57 PM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
1:42 PM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
1:27 PM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
1:18 PM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
1:11 PM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
1:06 PM (IST)
Farmers have been demanding the formation of a Makhana Board for a very long time: Bihar Minister Mangal Pandey
On announcement of Makhana Board in Bihar, Bihar Minister Mangal Pandey said, “I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan on behalf of lakhs of farmers of Bihar who cultivate foxnuts… These farmers have been demanding the formation of a Makhana Board for a very long time, just like there is Tea Board and Rubber Board… We requested for the formation of this board when Shivraj Singh Chouhan came to Patna recently and today that dream of foxnut cultivating farmers has been fulfilled through the announcement by the Finance Minister during Union Budget 2025…”
Feb 01, 2025
1:01 PM (IST)
Biggest announcement for Bihar is that it will have a greenfield airport: JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha
JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha said, “The biggest announcement for Bihar is that it will have a greenfield airport. It is a huge announcement. A Makhana Board will be formed, 85-90% of Makhana is cultivated in Mithila area, Kosi area…There is global demand for Makhana now. Western Kosi irrigation system had been a long pending demand of the Mithila region. FM has made an announcement for this. Announcment for a food-processing institute has also been made. So, overall these announcements are very positive for Bihar…Taxation relief up to Rs 12 Lakhs is a major relief.”
Feb 01, 2025
12:45 PM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
12:27 PM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
12:16 PM (IST)
New tax deduction slabs announced
Zero Income Tax till ₹12 Lakh Income under New Tax Regime
- Slabs and rates being changed across the board to benefit all tax-payers
- New structure to substantially reduce taxes of middle class and leave more money in their hands, boosting household consumption, savings and investment
- ‘Nil tax’ slab up to ₹12 lakh (₹12.75 lakh for salaried tax payers with standard deduction of ₹75,000)
As per new slabs
- Revised Tax Slabs (FY 2025-26)
- 0-4 lakh rupees Nil
- 4-8 lakh rupees 5 per cent
- 8-12 lakh rupees 10 per cent
- 12-16 lakh rupees 15 per cent
- 16-20 lakh rupees 20 per cent
- 20- 24 lakh rupees 25 per cent
- Above 24 lakh rupees 30 per cent
Feb 01, 2025
12:15 PM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
12:12 PM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
12:10 PM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
12:09 PM (IST)
Modified UDAN scheme will be launched: FM
FM said, “….Inspired by the success, a modified UDAN scheme will be launched to enhance regional connectivity to 120 new destinations and carry 4 crore additional passengers in the next 10 years. The scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational and northeast regional districts. Greenfield airports will be facilitated in Bihar to meet the future needs of the state. These will be in addition to the expansion of the capacity of Patna airport and Brownfield airport in Bihta. Financial support will be provided for Western Kosi Canal ERM project in Mithilanchal, benefitting a large number of farmers in the Mithilanchal region of Bihar…”
Feb 01, 2025
12:01 PM (IST)
Revamped central KYC registry will be rolled out in 2025: FM
Revamped central KYC registry will be rolled out in 2025. Requirements and procedures for speedy approval for company mergers will be widened and process to be made simple: FM
“I propose to introduce the New Income Tax Bill next week,” says FM Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament
Feb 01, 2025
11:59 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:58 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:55 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:53 AM (IST)
The FDI limit for the Insurance Sector will be raised from 74 to 100 percent: Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman said, “The FDI limit for the Insurance Sector will be raised from 74 to 100 percent. This enhanced limit will be available for those companies which invest the entire premium in India. The current guardrails and conditionalities associated with foreign investment will be reviewed and simplified.”
Feb 01, 2025
11:48 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:46 AM (IST)
Bharat Trade Net (BTN) for international trade will be setup: FM
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “A digital public infrastructure – ‘Bharat Trade Net’ (BTN) for international trade will be setup as a unified platform for trade documentation and financing solutions. The BTN will be aligned with international practices…”
Feb 01, 2025
11:45 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:43 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:42 AM (IST)
At least 5 indigenously developed small modular (nuclear) reactors will be operationalised by 2033: FM
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “As a part of Nuclear Energy Mision for Research and Development, at least five indigenously developed small modular (nuclear) reactors will be operationalised by 2033…”
Feb 01, 2025
11:38 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:37 AM (IST)
Govt announces PM Dhan Dhyan Krishi Yojana, to benefit 1.7 cr farmers
Through the convergence of existing schemes, the program will cover 100 districts with low productivity, moderate crop intensity & below-average credit parameters to:
- Enhance agricultural productivity
- Adopt crop diversification & sustainable agri-practices
- Augment post-harvest storage
- Improve irrigation facilities
- Facilitate long term & short-term credit
- The program will likely help 1.7 crore farmers
Feb 01, 2025
11:36 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:34 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:31 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:29 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:27 AM (IST)
Comprehensive programme for raising vegetables, fruits’ production, and providing remunerative prices will be launched
Comprehensive programme for raising vegetables, fruits’ production, and providing remunerative prices will be launched, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while presenting the Union Budget 2025-26.
Feb 01, 2025
11:26 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:24 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:22 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:22 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:19 AM (IST)
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11:18 AM (IST)
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11:17 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:15 AM (IST)
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11:14 AM (IST)
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11:13 AM (IST)
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11:11 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:08 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:06 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
11:05 AM (IST)
Our economy is the fastest-growing economy, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
“Our economy is the fastest growing among all major economies. Our development track record for the past 10 years and structural reforms have drawn global attention. Confidence in India’s capability and potential has only grown in this period. We see the next 5 years as a unique opportunity to realise sabka vikas, stimulating balanced growth of all regions.”
Feb 01, 2025
11:02 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
10:59 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
10:53 AM (IST)
I am confident that today too there will be a lot for poor, youth, women: BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal
BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal said, “Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, all the Budgets that have been presented so far have given new heights of development. I am confident that today too there will be a lot for poor, youth, women and industries.”
Feb 01, 2025
10:46 AM (IST)
There is a more important thing than budget at the moment: Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party chief and the party’s MP Akhilesh Yadav said, “…There is a more important thing than budget at the moment – people in Maha Kumbha are still looking and searching for their relatives. The CM has been there many times, the Union Home Minister has gone there, the Vice President is going today and the Prime Minister will also go there – in a Maha Kumbh where people die and the govt has failed to provide the numbers of deceased and those who are missing… Hindus have lost their lives – the govt must wake up – I said earlier as well to call the Army there. This has been the first time that saints have denied having Shahi (Amrit) Snan…”
Feb 01, 2025
10:43 AM (IST)
Budget is non-event because it is merely a statement of account and expenditure: Congress MP Manish Tewari
Congress MP Manish Tewari said, “The budget is very simply an accounting statement – it states as to how much did the govt spend, how much did the government earn. Whether there is a surplus or there is a deficit. But unfortunately, over the years this has become a once-in-a-year podium for the finance minister to grandstand and to talk about – from motherhood to apple pie. Coupled with that, television channels have turned it into a spectacle, primarily because it has become an event to collect revenue and boost TRP. But, at the end of it, at every advanced economy, the budget is non-event because it is merely a statement of account and expenditure…”
Feb 01, 2025
10:42 AM (IST)
We expect that education and health will be given more focus: Congress MP Hibi Eden
Congress MP Hibi Eden said, “We hope that the tax policies and the issues faced by common man and the small-time traders, including the GST, something on that would be expected. More allocation would be there on MNREGA. We expect that education and health will be given more focus and our all-time demand is that the honorarium of members of the anganwadi – teachers and workers are revised and given a better space. These are our demands and I hope the Govt will consider that…The southern states are neglected. I hope Kerala will get a better share this time.”
Feb 01, 2025
10:33 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
10:30 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
10:27 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
10:17 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
10:10 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
10:06 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
9:58 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
9:58 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
9:47 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
9:39 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
9:33 AM (IST)
Sitharaman is wearing a saree as a tribute to Madhubani Art and the skill of Padma awardee Dulari Devi
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is wearing a saree as a tribute to Madhubani Art and the skill of Padma awardee Dulari Devi. Dulari Devi is a 2021 Padma Shri awardee. When FM visited Madhubani for a credit outreach activity at Mithila Art Institute, she met Dulari Devi and had a cordial exchange of thoughts on Madhubani art in Bihar. Dulari Devi had presented the saree and asked FM to wear it for the budget day.
Feb 01, 2025
9:32 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
9:26 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
9:22 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
9:08 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
9:07 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
9:03 AM (IST)
Youth expects new schemes in the Budget
Suryaprakash, a local in Ayodhya said, “The youth are enthusiastic and hopeful regarding Budget. We hope that something positive will be thought for us. Budget plays several roles…Schemes should be introduced so that things are a little better in the time to come. There should be something for farmers too…Something positive should be thought for middle class too…”
Feb 01, 2025
8:46 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
8:42 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
8:39 AM (IST)
Odisha: Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik crafts sand sculpture on Budget 2025
Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a sand sculpture on Puri beach depicting the Union Budget 2025, ahead of its presentation in the Parliament. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2025 today. Speaking to media, Pattnaik said he created the sand art with four tonnes of sand that has “Welcome Union Budget 2025” written on it. “I have created a sand art welcoming the Union Budget 2025. This art is created by 4 tonnes of sand with the message of Welcome Union Budget 2025 written on it. The eyes of the country and the world are on the Union Budget 2025, which will be presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman,” he told media.
Feb 01, 2025
8:37 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
8:28 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
8:13 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
8:10 AM (IST)
Salaried people expect relaxation in tax limit
Union Budget 2025 to be tabled in Lok Sabha, today, at Prayagraj Mahakumbh, Deepak said, “Being a salaried person, I expect that the govt will provide some relaxation in tax limit; I hope that the govt will alter the 5 lakh slab and will exceed that limit upto 7.5 lakhs.”
Feb 01, 2025
8:02 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
7:34 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
7:33 AM (IST)
Feb 01, 2025
7:30 AM (IST)
Emphasis will be on employment and skilling
This budget is also set against the backdrop of slower domestic consumption and activity, which is likely to be in focus in the announcements. Emphasis will be on employment and skilling with a focus on boosting incomes, support labour intensive sectors, draw in private sector players, and defend against a tougher geopolitical environment.
Feb 01, 2025
7:28 AM (IST)
Budget is expected to contain measures to shore up weakening economic growth
The Budget for the fiscal year starting April 1 is expected to contain measures to shore up weakening economic growth while being fiscally prudent. It is likely to focus on steps to boost consumption while sticking to the roadmap of narrowing the fiscal deficit.
Feb 01, 2025
7:28 AM (IST)
Hopes running high of tax cut as FM Sitharaman to present record 8th budget
A cut or tweak in income tax rates/slabs to ease the burden of middle class struggling with high prices and stagnant wage growth is widely expected in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s record setting eighth consecutive Budget. The Budget for the fiscal year starting April 1 is expected to contain measures to shore up weakening economic growth while being fiscally prudent. It is likely to focus on steps to boost consumption while sticking to the roadmap of narrowing the fiscal deficit.
Feb 01, 2025
7:26 AM (IST)
