Understand pressures of middle class as I belong to same category, says Sitharaman

by IANS |

New Delhi, Jan 16 (IANS) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that she is sensitive about the pressures faced by the middle class, as she too is from the same class of society.

Speaking during the function organised by RSS mouthpiece Panchjanya to mark the publication's 75th year on Sunday, the finance minister said that being from the middle class herself, she was aware of the pressures on it and therefore the government has not imposed any fresh taxes on them.

"The Modi government has not levied any new tax on the middle class in any budget so far. No tax has been imposed on people who earn up to Rs 5 lakhs," Sitharaman said during the event.

Her comments have come just days before she is scheduled to present the Union Budget for 2023-24 on February 1.

Responding to a question on freebies during an interactive session, the finance minister said that everybody tries to trap each other on this issue.

"People try to trap each other by talking about freebies. The issue is not that what is a freebie? Issue is whether you will be able to give that freebie or not," she said.

If anybody claims to give freebies, then they must show it in the budget, and they should get the budget scrutinised at the end of the year, the finance minister said further, adding that if the budget or the accounts are found to be clean, then that expense cannot be termed as a freebie.

Launching an attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over freebies, Sitharaman said that the Delhi government gives free power to citizens up to a certain limit.

She added that many states give freebies to people, but don't show them in their budgets.

"They just leave it to Modi ji to manage what they had spent. If you had sought votes in the name of freebies, then why does the Centre have to manage the burden?" she questioned.

Latest News
IPL 2024: 'Sai Kishore did not expect I will go after him off the first ball', says CSK's Shivam Dube Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:55 PM
Talks with Ukrainian FM focused on conflict with Russia, says EAM Jaishankar Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:49 PM
Started my career on shop floor of auto plant: Anand Mahindra to Elon Musk Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:42 PM
Chinese military offers help to Pakistan to curb terrorism Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:39 PM
Kangana Ranaut holds roadshow in Mandi, responds to Supriya Shrinate's 'bhao' jibe Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:36 PM
CPI tries to revive itself by launching ex-IPS officer in UP's Faizabad Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:29 PM
Mandya in Karnataka to witness mega clash between Kumaraswamy and Star Chandru Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:26 PM
I-T seizes unaccounted cash from Kolkata bizman's office Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:24 PM
Byju's EGM on rights issue ends sans objections, dissenting investors skip meet Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:12 PM
Anti-abuse provisions should not be used in receipt of capital from credible investors: Experts Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:09 PM
UP: Kamaal R Khan's brother to contest from Saharanpur on BSP ticket Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:59 PM
Pakistan: Alarm bells ring as judicial bodies gear up to protect their judges against 'targeted assault' Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:50 PM
Judicial probe ordered in Mukhtar Ansari's death Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:46 PM
Stories come knocking, characters start whispering to me: Filmmaker Rima Das Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:45 PM
Magisterial probe ordered into Mukhtar Ansari's death Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 12:52 PM