Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has once again delivered a budget that promises to empower the middle class—because nothing says “financial relief” like a few tweaks to tax slabs while inflation skyrockets. The biggest headline? Individuals earning up to ₹1.2 million annually won’t have to pay taxes. Sounds fantastic, right? Except that everything from groceries to fuel is still burning holes in people’s pockets. And of course, this generous move is expected to drain ₹1 trillion from government revenues—so get ready for new “creative” ways to fill that gap.
Meanwhile, the government is patting itself on the back for aiming to cut the fiscal deficit to 4.4% of GDP from last year’s 4.8%. To fund this, the nation will see a staggering ₹14.82 trillion in borrowings. But don’t worry—borrowing trillions while slashing tax revenues is all part of a flawless economic plan. What could possibly go wrong?
The budget is also packed with goodies for everyone—farmers, youth, women, and the poor. There’s an emphasis on boosting agricultural productivity, particularly for high-yield crops like cotton. But let’s be real: farmers struggling with erratic climate patterns and mounting debts might need more than policy statements. And for the business world, the FDI cap in insurance has been conveniently raised from 74% to 100%—because attracting foreign investors is always a priority over addressing domestic economic disparities.

On the taxation front, customs duties on marine products and critical minerals have been reduced, and life-saving drugs are now exempt. Fantastic news—if only healthcare was actually affordable. The budget also lays out grand reforms across six key sectors, including power, mining, and urban development. Whether these reforms truly benefit the average Indian or remain boardroom buzzwords, only time will tell.

At the end of the day, this budget follows a familiar script—big promises, strategic tax cuts, and ambitious deficit targets, all wrapped in optimistic economic jargon. The real test? Whether the middle class actually feels the change or continues to navigate rising expenses with the same old financial struggles.
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