Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, addressing the House during the general discussion on the Union Budget on Thursday, defended the budget allocation to states, stating that “no state has been ignored under PM Modi.”
Refuting the accusations that the budget endorses BJP-ruled states, Sitharaman termed such allegations “unfounded,” including opposition parties claims that Bihar was given a “rewarding budget,” citing the upcoming elections.
Noting key figures, she stated that the “effective capital expenditure in this budget is estimated at Rs. 15.49 lakh crore,” as compared to Rs. 13.18 lakh crore in the revised estimate of 2024-25, rejecting any claims of reduction.
“We have not cut down on any sectoral allocation,” she reaffirmed. Mentioning the allocations made to various key departments and ministries.
Agriculture & Allied got Rs. 1.71 lakh crore, For Rural Development Rs. 2.67 lakh crore was allocated, Urban Development & Transportation got Rs. 6.45 lakh crore, Health & Education sector got Rs. 2.27 lakh crore and Defense Ministry rewarded with the budget of Rs. 4.92 lakh crore.
During the session, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was tabled in the Rajya Sabha amid distrubance from opposition members. BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni submitted the report along with proof records given before the committee.
Other than this, the finance minister also tabled the new income tax bill in Parliament, which she had cited in her budget speech on February 1 and which is expected to reduce the heavy language in the Income Tax Act of 1961, making it easy to understand and enforce.
