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Sitharaman says INDIA-ruled states must answer on farmers’ distress

Responding to a member’s comment that farmers are happy in Texas, Kentucky and Wisconsin but not in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka or West Bengal, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the remark was an admission in itself.

“I am sorry to say… he is basically admitting it. I am glad he brought up Tamil Nadu… because farmers in INDIA alliance-ruled states are not happy. They have to take care of it. All three states are ruled by their alliance. They have to talk among themselves and work on it,” she said.

Nirmala Sitharaman also alleged that some state governments, including West Bengal, have failed to implement welfare schemes funded by the Centre.

“There are governments like West Bengal which do not implement welfare schemes for people. WB doesn't implement just because it is financed by the Centre. How can we be held responsible?” she said.

Citing the Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana, introduced in 2021-22 for the welfare of tea estate workers, especially women and children, she said the scheme aimed to improve education, health, housing and infrastructure, but the West Bengal government refused to implement it.

“If the farmers are unhappy, is it our blame?” she asked.

Sitharaman says unemployment at historic low amid reforms

Responding to criticism on unemployment, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India is undergoing a structural transformation and that joblessness is at a historic low.

She said the unemployment rate has fallen from 5.27 per cent in 2017 to 3.2 per cent in 2023-24. According to her, 56.2 crore people were employed in the latest quarter, with 8.7 lakh new jobs created during the period.

Sitharaman says India has no inflation problem

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said inflation is at a historic low and asserted that India does not currently face an inflation problem.

She stated that since 2014, inflation has been on a downward trajectory, and urged critics who claim that rising prices are hurting people to examine the data.

She added that inflation in India is better than what is seen in the UK, and that the reason is not because of chance but a clear strategy by the government.

T20 WC: Italy beat Nepal by 10 wickets!

Brothers Justin and Anthony Mosca produced a polished performance to script an upset of sorts as debutants Italy thrashed Nepal by 10 wickets to notch their maiden T20 World Cup win on Thursday.

Justin struck an unbeaten 60 off 44 balls, while Anthony contributed 62 not out from 32 deliveries, the duo stitching together a match-winning -run partnership as Italy overhauled the opponents' score of 123 in just 12.4 overs.

Earlier, Italy's spinners delivered a disciplined performance, maintaining tight lines and lengths to dismiss Nepal for 123 in 19.3 overs.

Their bowlers, especially spinners Ben Manenti (2/9) and Crishan Kalugamage (3/18), applied the brakes effectively, playing a key role in strangling the opposition.

Nepal, who had come close to stunning England in their previous match before eventually losing by four runs, never quite found momentum. They struggled to score freely and lost wickets at regular intervals, preventing them from building any substantial partnerships.

Brief scores: Nepal 123 all out in 19.3 overs (Rohit Paudel 23, Aarif Sheikh 27; Ben Manenti 2/9, Crishan Kalugamage 3/18).

Italy 124 for no loss in 12.4 overs (Justin Mosca 60 not out, Anthony Mosca 62 not out). 

Sitharaman cites EPS on Tamil Nadu debt, faces Opposition protests

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman quoted former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisamy, who claimed that successive governments in the state accumulated Rs 5 lakh crore in debt over 73 years, while the DMK government added Rs 4.46 lakh crore in just four years since 2021.

She remarked that if Tamil Nadu’s borrowing can rise sharply, questions should not be raised when the Centre’s borrowing increases.

Her speech was interrupted by Opposition members, with Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge asking whether she was speaking about the Tamil Nadu Budget or the Union Budget.

Sitharaman rejects claim that middle class is squeezed

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman dismissed the Congress’ claim that the middle class has been “sandwiched,” saying there is no evidence to support the charge.

She said the number of income taxpayers has risen from 5.26 crore to 12.13 crore in the last 11 years, more than doubling at a CAGR of 7.9 per cent. “Suppression cannot happen if more people are coming forward to pay taxes,” she said, adding that the income tax exemption limit has been raised to Rs 12 lakh.

She further argued that the middle class consumption basket is widening and that such expansion would not be possible if the middle class were truly under stress. With inflation at historic lows, she questioned the basis of the Opposition’s claims.

Sitharaman counters Congress charge on budget allocations

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman rejected the Congress’ criticism that schemes were announced without proper budgetary backing.

She said the government has introduced 16 new schemes with allocations and provided top-ups to four existing ones, taking the total to 20 schemes with dedicated funding. She alleged that during the UPA regime, schemes were often announced without allocations but did not attract similar criticism.

Sitharaman accuses Congress of shedding crocodile tears

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday accused the Congress of “shedding crocodile tears,” saying the party is focused only on how much funds are allocated to states, not how they are utilised.

She asserted that the BJP-led government prioritises accountability and will not spend public money without ensuring proper oversight and outcomes.

High-powered panel to prepare youth for services sector

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Centre will set up a high-powered education-to-employment and enterprise committee to prepare youth for the services sector, aiming to secure a 10% global market share by 2047.

The panel will focus on IT, fintech, logistics, healthcare, tourism and creative services, and address skill gaps, infrastructure and credit access while suggesting reforms in standards, accreditation and digital regulation.

She also announced a target to create 1 lakh allied health professionals over five years, backed by a Rs 1,000 crore allocation this year.

Sitharaman lauds Budget a ‘Goldilocks’ moment

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said in Rajya Sabha that the current Budget has been presented at an unusual point for the Indian economy, marked by steady growth and contained inflation.

She described it as a rare alignment where GDP expansion remains strong while price pressures stay moderate. Referring to it as a “Goldilocks moment,” she said the situation was not accidental but the outcome of sustained policy work.

According to the minister, the balance between growth and inflation reflects careful planning, close monitoring of economic indicators and timely interventions by the government. She emphasised that detailed groundwork and calibrated decisions over time have helped India maintain momentum even amid global economic uncertainties.

Sitharaman argued that this combination of high growth and relatively low inflation provides a stable foundation for advancing reforms and sustaining economic expansion.