Bibek Debroy, chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, passed away on November 1, 2024 at the age of 69. His death drew condolences and tributes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and other prominent figures. Known for his contributions to public policy and his work in translating India's ancient texts, Debroy's passing has left a void in the country's intellectual landscape. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also noted his involvement in policy making.
During her visit to Puducherry, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met with Chief Minister N. Rangasamy to discuss the latter's request for special financial assistance. Sitharaman advised the Puducherry government to prepare a detailed sector-wise report for consideration, pointing out the practical difficulties in conceding to the request. However, she promised to prioritize assistance for infrastructure projects and consider requests for assistance from industrial houses looking to set up units in Puducherry. The meeting was also attended by Speaker R. Selvam, Home Minister A. Namassivayam, and BJP legislators.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared that the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, has revolutionized the banking and financial landscape of India. With over 53.14 crore beneficiaries and a deposit balance of Rs. 2.3 lakh crore, the PMJDY has successfully provided millions of unbanked adults with basic banking services and a free accident insurance cover. The Finance Minister also highlighted the scheme's focus on empowering women, with 55% of accounts opened by women.
In a heated exchange in Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attacked the Congress party and its leader Rahul Gandhi over allegations of caste discrimination in the preparation of the national budget. Responding to a remark by BJP colleague Anurag Thakur, Sitharaman cited instances of the Nehru-Gandhi family's actions against reservations for marginalized communities, exposing their hypocritical stance. The topic of caste-based census further escalated tensions in the House, with Gandhi vowing to fight for its implementation.
In a fiery speech, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called out opposition leader Rahul Gandhi for his criticism of the absence of SC and ST officials in the budget preparation team. The Finance Minister also pointed out the lack of representation in the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and Charitable Trust. In response, Gandhi defended his demand for a caste-based census, while PM Modi praised Sitharaman's colleague for exposing the "dirty politics" of the opposition.
The Congress has written a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, asking him not to consider farmer leaders' media interaction after meeting with Rahul Gandhi in the Parliament complex last week as a violation of decorum. This comes after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "halwa" remark on the halwa ceremony. In her reply to the Budget discussion, Sitharaman also brought up past instances of non-parliamentarians, including women filmstars, interacting with the media on various occasions.
A video of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reacting to Rahul Gandhi's comment during the Lok Sabha debate on the Union Budget 2024 has gone viral on social media. In the video, Gandhi questions the absence of OBC, tribal, or Dalit officers in the traditional "halwa ceremony," to which Sitharaman is seen giving a dismissive smile and a facepalm. The incident sparked a debate on social media, with many criticizing the lack of diversity in the ceremony and government.
During the monsoon session of the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi targeted the government over the recently presented Union Budget, drawing parallels to the Mahabharat's Chakravyuh. His speech was interrupted when he tried to show a picture of the budget halwa ceremony, leading to a heated exchange with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Later, Rahul Gandhi promised to conduct a caste census and accused the BJP of dismissing the issue, promising to bring out the "x-ray of the country".
The second day of the Budget debate in Parliament saw heated exchanges between the Opposition and BJP, as they clashed over the fiscal plan presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Opposition member Charanjit Singh Channi accused the government of putting its own interests above the country's and questioned why there couldn't be a legal guarantee for MSP. Meanwhile, BJP minister Piyush Goyal praised the Budget, with fellow party member Baijayant Panda defending Sitharaman against criticism of her qualifications and highlighting the positive impact of the government's fiscal management on job creation and employability.
In her latest budget announcement, Nirmala Sitharaman has promised major tax reforms with the aim of providing relief to salaried individuals and pensioners. Key changes include an increased standard deduction, revised tax slabs, and the abolition of the controversial angel tax. These changes are expected to positively impact millions of taxpayers and make the tax process easier. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.