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PremiumBudget 2024 Political Reactions Live Updates: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23 is presenting her seventh consecutive Budget. While presenting the Union Budget, FM Sitharaman announced significant changes in personal income tax rates for the fiscal year 2024-25 to reduce the tax outgo of the masses. The Finance Minister has provided relief to taxpayers by revising the income tax slabs for the current fiscal year. Under the new regime, individuals will continue to pay no tax on incomes up to ₹3 lakh, mirroring the previous year's structure.
The Finance minister during her speech also announced that government will provide ₹11.11 lakh crore towards capex for 2024-25. The government will provide financial support for loans up to ₹10 lakh for higher education in domestic institutions. Presenting the budget for 2024-25, she said e-vouchers for this purpose will be given directly to one lakh students every year with interest subvention of 3 per cent of the loan amount.
Catch LIVE Updates on Income Tax here
All the Union Budget documents, including the Annual Financial Statement (commonly known as the Budget), Demand for Grants (DG), and Finance Bill, as prescribed by the Constitution, will be available on the "Union Budget Mobile App" for hassle-free access to budget documents by Members of Parliament (MPs) and the public.
The app is bilingual (English and Hindi) and available on both Android and iOS platforms. The app can also be downloaded from the Union Budget Web Portal (www.indiabudget.gov.in).
Read the latest news on Budget 2024 with our live coverage on the Income Tax Slab, Impact on Share Market, Budget Key Highlights, Corporate Reactions.
Budget 2024 Political Reactions LIVE: INDIA Alliance MPs will protest in Parliament tomorrow morning alleging that Budget2024 was a “discriminatory budget"
Budget 2024 Political Reactions LIVE: Members of the INDIA bloc reached the house of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday evening for a meeting on the Parliament session.
Budget 2024 Political Reactions LIVE: Andhra Pradesh minister Nadendla Manohar said that he was ‘thrilled’ by the Budget announcement.
“We are extremely thrilled and are grateful to PM Modi and BJP leadership for supporting us in this journey, which was tough to convince our people. When Dy CM Pawan Kalyan started this journey, all that we had asked was to extend a helping hand towards the development of Andhra Pradesh and make sure that Andhra Pradesh is self-sufficient…It is not about our political interests but about the interests of the people of Andhra Pradesh," he added.
Budget 2024 Political Reactions LIVE: Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram said on Tuesday that a two-tax regime was a ‘bad idea’.
“A two-tax regime is unacceptable and a bad idea. It will lead to tax arbitration, and people will be confused about whether to remain in the old regime or switch over to the new one. I'm told that it's even more complicated if you can switch once and switch back, but if you switch for the second time, you can't switch back. I am thoroughly confused. I don't think they have given great incentives to switch over to the new tax regime in this budget. They did it in the earlier budget. This time, they only reduced the tax effect by enlarging the slabs. But that will benefit only people in the 0–20% tax bracket. I don't think it benefits anyone above that bracket. The answer is that I do not, and I would not support a two-tax regime," he explained.
Budget 2024 Political Reactions LIVE: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh lashed out at the Narendra Modi-led government for ‘copy-pasting’ from its Lok Sabha manifesto and ‘botching up the policy’.
“The Union Budget borrows ideas generously from the Nyay Patra, but botches up the policy. Pehli Naukri Pakki, a program to guarantee year-long, well-paid apprenticeships to all college graduates and diploma holders, becomes a gimmicky and unworkable 1-crore internships plan. Employment-Linked Incentives, rather than incentivizing firms to create jobs or incentivize women to join the labour force, compensates those who are lucky enough to find jobs," he added.
Budget 2024 Political Reactions LIVE: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that the Budget sends a powerful message that now the government will be concentrating on providing employment to 4.1 crore youth.
“This budget presents a very solid fiscal consolidation. I mean, the fact that the economy has grown well in the last few years, the fact that the projection onward is very healthy. The fact is that our fiscal deficit has come down from 5.1 to about 4.89 per cent. The fact that this budget is sending a very powerful message that in the coming time, we will be concentrating on 4.1 crore youth who will be employed over five years. For the first time, an innovative scheme has come to be able to give internships to a large number of our youth in the top 500 companies of the country. So all these taken together, I was particularly pleased with another aspect, which is the fact that we have walked the talk. We have gone from women's centre to women-led development," headded said.
Budget 2024 Political Reactions LIVE: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving ‘justice to farmers, women, and youth’.
“It is an inclusive budget...He has given money for several welfare schemes for Maharashtra...This budget lays the foundation for the development of the nation...Based on our two years of governance, we will win the Vidhan Sabha elections and the Mahayuti government will be formed," he assured.
Budget 2024 Political Reactions LIVE: Chandra Shekhar Aazad questioned several provisions announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday.
“I had a lot of expectations from the budget regarding the welfare schemes for youth, farmers, women but there was nothing in it...What will happen after the internship?... Steps have been taken to make the unemployed more unemployed... No steps have been taken to reduce inflation...Nothing has been done for MSP guarantee...The budget for health and education has not been increased...No welfare scheme has been introduced for the welfare of ST, SC students," he noted.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said, “The budget for 2024-25, tabled in Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, will play a key role in materialising the dream of Viksit Bharat. This is also a bold initiative to fulfil the dream of Antyodaya."
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says, "What did the common man, farmers, students get from the budget in the past ten years?... Earlier budget used to be made for only one state Gujarat, now two more states have been added to it...For the first time, I have seen that a budget has been made to save the government and not for the welfare of the nation"
While speaking to reporters, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said, "This budget is like an empty vessel given to Karnataka by Nirmala Sitharaman. Only Andhra Pradesh and Bihar have been given funds. Nothing has been given to other states because he (PM Modi) needs to have the confidence of those two states to remain as PM."
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, "Directionless, anti-people, no vision, only political mission is there. I don't see any light, it is dark...They make tall claims and make promises during elections. But after they get votes, they forget Darjeeling, Kalimpong...People in the hills of Darjeeling should remember this. Let Sikkim get things, we have no objection but keeping Darjeeling deprived is not right...This Budget is anti-people, anti-poor and not for the common people. This is a Budget to appease one party. This is a Budget full of political biases."
Congress leader Akhilesh Singh on allocation for Bihar in Union Budget 2024, “Bihar is constantly being neglected and given step-motherly treatment. This is not the first time... In 2019, PM Modi announced a Budget of ₹1,25,000 crore in Bhojpur's Arrah, but that was all a lie."
BJP leader CT Ravi says, "When there was UPA government in the country, the Indian economy was at the 11th position in the world. Now, it is the 5th largest economy in the world... Every state of India will benefit from the amount allocated for infrastructure. The government made announcements to establish 12 industrial parks in the country..."
“This visionary Budget not only addresses the immediate needs of the nation but also lays down a robust framework for a long term prosperity, prioritising infrastructure development, technological innovation and social welfare. It paves the way for a more prosperous and equitable India," says Union Minister JP Nadda
On allocation for Bihar in #UnionBudget2024, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar says, "...I have continuously spoken for this (special status), I told them as well (NDA). I told them to give us either a special status or a special package...As a follow-up, they have announced aid for a lot of things...We were speaking of special status and a lot of people said that the provision for special status has been done away with much earlier. So, instead of that, aid should be given for helping Bihar. They have now started it..."
Manipur CM N Biren Singh said, "...Manipur is suffering due to the prevailing situation as well as we have met two times flood and hail storm. So adequate funds will be available to regain the development momentum of the state..."
Congress leader Deependra Singh Hooda said, "This budget was a complete disappointment...There was nothing for the farmers in the budget...Only Andhra Pradesh and Bihar were mentioned in the budget...They forgot about Haryana...If they forget Haryana, the people of Hyrayan will forget the symbol lotus (BJP party symbol)..."
Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala says, "This budget is a 'Jhunjhuna budget'. This is a complete disappointment. There is no relief for farmers... No mention of employment generation has been in this budget. SC ST and OBC were completely wiped out from this budget... The middle class and working class haven't got any relief in tax exemption for the past 10 years..."
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday termed the Union Budget as a "copycat" and alleged that it is not for the progress of the country but to save the Modi government.
In a post in Hindi on X, Congress chief said, “The Modi government's 'copycat budget' could not even copy the Congress' Nyay Patra properly! The Modi government's budget is distributing half-hearted 'rewadis (freebies)' to dupe its coalition partners so that the NDA survives. This is not a budget for the 'progress of the country', it is a 'save Modi government' budget!"
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said Maharashtra was not mentioned even once by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Union budget speech, and alleged bias against the state despite being the largest taxpayer. In a post on X, Thackeray added, "I can understand the BJP wanting to save its government and giving Bihar and Andhra Pradesh a huge sum of the budget. But what is Maharashtra's fault? That we are the largest taxpayer? What did we get against what we contributed?" “Was Maharashtra mentioned even once in the budget? Why does the BJP hate and insult Maharashtra so much? This isn't the first time, through the entire past decade of BJP's government, we have seen this bias against Maharashtra."
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said Budget 2024-25 will fuel the country's pace on the path of emerging as a developed nation by ushering in a new era of employment and opportunities. "Harnessing the power of Bharat's youth, Nari Shakti and farmers, the budget fuels the nation's pace on the path of emerging as a developed nation by ushering in a new era of employment and opportunities," he wrote on X with the hashtag #BudgetForViksitBharat.
RJD MP Manoj Jha said, "...Bihar will get the special category status by hook or crook even if the government has to be overthrown for that...Just by taking the name of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar the ground reality will not change...What is there in the budget for organic employment generation?..."
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says, "No INDIA alliance governments got anything. No opposition parties got anything including Karnataka. It is unfortunate and I never expected this from FM Nirmala Sitharaman."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday dubbed the Union Budget 2024-25 as "politically biased and anti-poor" and slammed the Centre for "depriving" the state.
"Bengal has been completely deprived in this Union budget. This doesn't look into the interest of the poor. The budget is politically biased. This is directionless and has no vision. It is only to serve a political mission," she told reporters on the state assembly premises.
BJP MP Ravi Kishan says, "...This is a historic budget. It has things for the diamond market, youth, education of students...No government can think of a budget better than this...PM Modi and Nirmala Sitharaman have taken a step towards 5 trillion dollar economy today."
Congress MP Manish Tewari says, "There is a proverb - 'The tail wags he dog'. That is the political message of this Budget. Coalition compulsion written all over this Budget."
In his manifesto ahead of the Gujarat elections in 2012, when Narendra Modi was chief minister, he listed special measures for the lower middle class, calling them the ‘neo middle class’.
The 'neo-middle class' are the beneficiaries of economic growth who are emerging or evolving into a middle-class status.
According to a study, the neo-middle class are aspirational and want to move up the economic ladder.
They are referred as people who are between the low-income level and mid-income level and who are willing to pay a premium for a product or a service, but they are not sure if it is worth the premium.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan says "We demanded that we should be given a special package and I want to thank PM Modi and FM Nirmala Sitharaman for providing special packages to the state. As Bihari, I am extremely happy and in this Budget, announcements have been made to build bridges, medical colleges, airports...This Budget will improve the infrastructure as well as the economy of the state..."
Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu tweets "On behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh, I thank the PM
Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, for recognising the needs of our State and focusing on a Capital, Polavaram, industrial nodes and development of backward areas in AP in the union budget of FY 24-25. This support from the Centre will go a long way towards rebuilding Andhra Pradesh. I congratulate you on the presentation of this progressive and confidence-boosting budget..."
Rahul Gandhi calls Budget ‘Kursi Bachao’ Taking to X, he said, “Appease Allies: Hollow promises to them at the cost of other states. Appease Cronies: Benefits to AA with no relief for the common Indian. Copy and Paste: Congress manifesto and previous budgets."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday and this budget will empower the "neo-middle" class section
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury says, "The issues like increasing unemployment, inflation and food prices were not addressed properly as they should have been. The government expenditure as per GDP has decreased. The economy will contract so the problem of the people will increase... Subsidies have been decreased... The economic activity has to be increased to increase the employment generation... The incentives to the employers will not increase the employment generation opportunities..."
On Union Budget 2024-25, PM Modi says, "In this Budget, the government has announced ‘Employment Linked Incentive scheme. This will help generate many employment opportunities. Under this scheme, the government will give the first salary to those who are newly entering the workforce. Youth from villages will be able to work in the country's top companies under the apprenticeship program."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says "In the last 10 years, 25 crore people have come out of poverty. This budget is for the empowerment of the new middle class. The youth will get unlimited opportunities from this budget. Education and skill will get a new scale from this budget. This budget will give power to the new middle class...This budget will help women, small businessmen, MSMEs..."
On Union Budget 2024-25, PM Modi said, "This budget will give power to every section of the society..."
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya says, "It's a very progressive budget and the most youth-centric budget the country has ever seen. The thrust of this budget is employment generation, the spirit is to empower the young with skills and give them employment opportunities. The historic internship scheme that has been announced will give opportunities to youth to upskill their skill set.. This is going to create a job revolution in the country... This budget has taken care of protecting India's food and energy security... It has taken care of farmers, youth, and women. It has given a lot of focus on fast-paced economic growth and employment generation..."
Taking to X, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wrote, "As far as the allocation to Ministry of Defence is concerned, I thank the Finance Minister for giving the highest allocation to the tune of ₹6,21,940.85 Crore, which is 12.9 % of total Budget of GoI for FY 2024-25. The capital outlay of ₹1,72,000 Crore will further strengthen the capabilities of Armed Forces. Earmarking of Rs, 1,05,518.43 Crore for domestic capital procurement will provide further impetus to Atmanibharta. I am pleased that Border Roads have been given 30% increase in allocation over the last budget under the capital head. This allocation of ₹6,500 Crore to BRO will further accelerate our Border Infrastructure."
BJP MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, Kangana Ranaut said, "Relief fund has been promised for Himachal Pradesh. We are very happy with the budget..."
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says, "Under the guidance of PM Modi, in the new parliament of the country, the Finance Minister has laid down the general budget of the country which is -inclusive, development-oriented and one which will fulfil the aspirations of 140 cr people. In this general budget, there is unlimited potential for development. In this budget, 1,52,000 has been given for the prosperity of the farmers and also more than 3 lakh crore for women's empowerment. These are definitely going to help Uttar Pradesh... The new tax slabs announced in the budget are welcoming."
BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar told news agency ANI, "This budget has paid maximum emphasis on job creation. The government has announced plans for and funded the Eastern part of the country... From critical minerals to space research, whatever will be of importance in the coming days has been allocated funds... MUDRA loan has been increased and interest on education loans has been decreased. This is a holistic budget..."
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi says, "I think this budget should be called 'PM Sarkaar Bachao Yojana' because they have realised if they want to save this Govt for the next 5 years, they would need their alliance partners to be happy. After denying a special status to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, they have given them funds. Maharashtra continues to be ignored by the Centre. It has become a state where you keep taking in money from..."
MoS Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu says "The Govt has done the work of giving strength to the common people of the country. Stress has been given to job creation, employment generation, the private sector, and FDI. I want to thank PM Modi who had promised to take care of Andhra Pradesh and in the budget he has done that. In the last 5 years, Andhra Pradesh became a no-capital state. The people and farmers of the state want to thank PM Modi for providing a package of ₹15,000 crore and to complete the Polavaram project which is the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh..."
Leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi protest against the central government, outside Parliament.
TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha said, "...The relief that has been given on the medicines of cancer or other life-saving drugs is praiseworthy, it's a fact. What has been given to Bihar, as a resident it felt good, but you have to pay for it, but it was good. Bihar needed that, and it was in demand as well. You have given for Andhra Pradesh as well, which was expected, but what have you done for Telangana, Punjab and West Bengal?"
BJP MP Ravi Kishan says, "... This budget has catered to the needs of all sections of the society and all sectors of the economy... Bihar has been blessed..."
Members of Parliament from Punjab protest alleging Punjab ignored in allocation of funds in Union Budget 2024
P Chidambaran took a jibe at FM Nirmala Sitharaman for adopting ELI and Apprenticeship scheme from Congress Manifesto. Taking to X, he wrote, “I am glad to know that the Hon'ble FM has read the Congress Manifesto LS 2024 after the election results. I am happy she has virtually adopted the Employment-linked incentive (ELI) outlined on page 30 of the Congress Manifesto. I am also happy that she has introduced the Apprenticeship scheme along with an allowance to every apprentice spelt out on page 11 of the Congress Manifesto. I wish the FM had copied some other ideas in the Congress Manifesto. I shall shortly list the missed opportunities."
