Uddhav Sena hails Union Budget as 'victory for middle class' but with a catch

NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Saturday welcomed the Union Budget 2025, calling it a "victory of the middle class," while suggesting that the BJP’s reduced tally in the Lok Sabha elections influenced its middle-class-friendly approach.
Meanwhile, she said that Bihar would be thinking that is should have election annually so that it is at the limelight of the budget every year.
Speaking to ANI, Chaturvedi said, "It's a victory of the middle class; mainly because of them (BJP in Lok Sabha elections) being limited to 240 seats. In the last 10 years, the middle class had this demand – today they have been heard and hence I welcome that (no income tax on income of up to Rs 12 lakh). Second thing, Bihar must be thinking if it can have an election every year."
She further added, "In Bihar, elections are coming, and this is evident when the BJP starts polarising, and a budget for the common man arrives." (Bihar mein chunaav aa rha hai yeh isi se pata chalta hai jab yeh(BJP) dhruvikaran shuru karte hai aur aam aadmi ke liye budget aata hai.)

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget speech, announced that no income tax would be levied on income up to Rs 12 lakh, providing significant relief to taxpayers, particularly the middle class. Salaried taxpayers will get an additional standard deduction of Rs 75,000, effectively raising the exemption limit to Rs 12.75 lakh. Sitharaman emphasised that the new tax regime aims to simplify the system while putting more money in people's hands to boost consumption and savings.
However, the relief comes with conditions. The exemption is applicable only if taxpayers claim deductions under specific provisions of the Income Tax Act, such as the Rs 1.5 lakh exemption under Section 80CCC and another Rs 1.5 lakh exemption on home loan interest payments.
The Finance minister also announced changes in tax slabs and rates to create a more progressive taxation system. "Slabs and rates are being changed across the board to benefit all taxpayers. The new structure will substantially reduce the taxes for the middle class and leave more money in their hands, boosting household consumption, savings, and investment," Sitharaman stated.
For Bihar, Sitharaman proposed several key initiatives, including the formation of a Makhana Board, the expansion of Patna Airport, and the establishment of new greenfield airports. She also announced the creation of the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management in Bihar to strengthen food processing activities in the Eastern region.