"Budget is for saving their chair": Congress leader Hanumanth Rao

The INDIA bloc MPs will hold a protest in Parliament on Wednesday against the Union Budget, presented on July 23 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The opposition parties have alleged Union Budget 2024 to be a "discriminatory budget".

"It was said that the Budget for 2024-2025 was 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas', but it was not 'Sabka Vikas'. INDIA bloc will hold a protest against the Union Budget. This Budget is for saving their Kursi (chair), as because of the support of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, they have formed a government. This is the budget of 'Kursi'," Rao told ANI.

He further alleged that the government has done an "injustice" by not allocating any special package to Telangana.

"Telangana CM Revanth Reddy met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many leaders, but still they have not taken the name of Telangana in the Budget. The INDIA bloc to protest against the 'discriminatory' Budget at Parliament today. I request that Rahul Gandhi, as an opposition leader raise the issue. Where is 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas'? You (BJP) are doing injustice and they are doing their 'Vikas and Kursi ka Vikas'," he added.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her record seventh consecutive Union Budget 2024-25 today (on July 23) during the Budget Session of Parliament and made major announcements for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, including a boost in infrastructure and special financial support.

Sitharaman made history as the first finance minister to present seven consecutive budget speeches, surpassing former Prime Minister Morarji Desai's record of six consecutive budgets as finance minister between 1959 and 1964.

FM Sitharaman, in her seventh consecutive Union Budget for 2024-25, outlined key priorities aimed at fostering economic growth and creating ample opportunities. The priorities include Productivity and Resilience in Agriculture, Employment and Skilling and services.

She listed productivity and resilience in agriculture, employment and skilling, inclusive human resource development and social justice, manufacturing and services, urban development, energy security, infrastructure, innovation, research and development, and next-generation reforms as nine priority areas for the government.

In her budget speech, Sitharaman introduced an increased standard deduction and revised tax rates for salaried individuals under the new tax regime. Sitharaman announced a significant set of income-tax reforms for the fiscal year 2024-25, aimed at simplifying tax laws, promoting compliance, and fostering economic growth.

Sitharaman, in her budget speech, proposed the creation of employment for about 4.1 crore youth over the next five years. Towards this, the finance minister has made an allocation of Rs 2 lakh crore. (ANI)