Sitharaman ‘says sorry’ for NO change in income tax slabs, also replies to Rahul’s jibe

New Delhi: Hours after presenting the Union Budget 2022-2023, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ‘apologised’ to the taxpayers for not bringing any change in the existing income tax slabs. The salaried & middle class taxpayers were hoping for some relief in the Budget, given the economic challenges & monetary distress created by Covid-19 pandemic & subsequent lockdown.

In her 4th Budget today, the Finance Minister chose to maintain ‘silence’ on the personal income tax and kept the slabs unchanged.

During media interaction, when the Minister was asked why government didn’t give any relief to common people despite job losses & mounting challenges, Nirmala Sitharaman expressed apology & said ‘situation didn’t allow for any cut’.

“I don’t want to give a cynical reply. There are times when you can give. There are times when you have to wait a bit longer. I am sorry that it didn’t happen this time,” she said in a reply to a question.

(Watch the ‘apology’ @ 43.45)

In fact, several hashtags like #middleclass & #salaried class became the top trend of Twitter soon after Finance Minsiter completed the Budget speech. Many shared their disappointment & discontent for not being given any relief in the Income tax slabs.

However, the Minister also said the government has done its best to buffer the middle class from economic challenges and the support for farmers & MSMEs & those in the reality sector are a step in that direction.

“I want to reiterate that I have not increased tax this year as well as last year. I haven’t made any attempt to earn additional revenue through income tax. Last year only, the Prime Minister had instructed not to burden the taxpayers even if fiscal deficit goes high. People must not be pained despite the challenges & economic distress thrown up by Covid-19 pandemic,” she said in the press conference.

Finance Minister’s retort to Rahul’s ‘zero sum’ jibe

Sitharaman also gave a strong retort to Rahul Gandhi’s jibe over Union Budget.

“As leader of the oldest party, Rahul Gandhi should have understood the Budget. He is a leader who comments without thinking. He should act in his own state before commenting on others,” she said.

Soon after the budget, Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter and slammed the Budget saying, “M0di G0vernment’s Zer0 Sum Budget! Nothing for – Salaried class – Middle class – The poor & deprived – Youth – Farmers – MSMEs”

M0di G0vernment’s Zer0 Sum Budget!

Nothing for
– Salaried class
– Middle class
– The poor & deprived
– Youth
– Farmers
– MSMEs

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 1, 2022