A Budget Bringing Prosperity to Every Household – Deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s Response to the Union Budget

Modi Government Offers Major Relief to the Middle Class Nationwide

Mumbai : Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde hailed the newly announced Union Budget as one that brings prosperity to every household. He stated that the budget creates a sense of festivity and joy across homes, as the income tax exemption limit has been raised to ₹12 lakh, offering significant relief to the common people. He remarked that this year’s budget feels like a windfall, benefiting households across the country.

The Modi government has made an unprecedented decision in income tax history, providing immense relief to millions of middle-class citizens by making annual incomes up to ₹12 lakh tax-free and increasing the standard deduction limit to ₹75,000. These revolutionary reforms in the new tax system will greatly benefit the middle class and economically weaker sections across India, Shinde emphasized.

Presenting the eighth Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined a roadmap for a developed India, realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. The significant income tax relaxations empower the middle class, poor, and economically weaker sections, reaffirming their crucial role in the nation’s progress, according to Shinde.

The budget also places special emphasis on women and farmers, advances in artificial intelligence, job creation, and steps toward self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat), ensuring inclusive development.

In her budget speech, the Finance Minister introduced a new Income Tax Bill, streamlining the tax system for greater ease and fairness. The decision to exempt incomes up to ₹12 lakh from taxation is a major relief for middle-class taxpayers, Shinde added.

Other Key Tax Relief Measures Include:

• Raising the TDS exemption limit on house rent
• Increasing the TDS limit for senior citizens to ₹1 lakh
• Extending the tax refund claim period to four years

Shinde expressed confidence that these measures would ease the financial burden on taxpayers.

The Dhanadhanya Krishi Yojana is expected to bring prosperity to farmers, with higher credit limits for Kisan Credit Cards and increased use of technology in agriculture, leading to higher-quality yields. The government has also increased credit limits for startups and simplified capital access for MSMEs, providing them with essential support.

Women from backward communities will benefit from new self-employment and entrepreneurship schemes, while skill development programs will help them achieve financial independence.

The budget also includes:

• Expansion of IITs
• Three AI research centers
• A strong focus on youth skill development
• Broadband connectivity in all government secondary schools and primary health centers
• 50 lakh Atal Tinkering Labs in schools

These initiatives will ensure modern technology reaches every corner of the country. The Urban Challenge Fund will support rapid urbanization and infrastructure development, while the UDAN scheme’s expansion will improve air connectivity in smaller cities over the next decade.

The “Heal in India” initiative will boost medical tourism, attracting more international patients, particularly to Maharashtra. Shinde also highlighted that the Ease of Doing Business reforms will encourage investment.

Additionally, the exemption of customs duty on 36 life-saving drugs, including cancer medications, will make essential treatments more affordable for the poor. The addition of 10,000 medical seats will expand opportunities for students pursuing medical education.

Shinde concluded that this budget lays the foundation for a prosperous, self-reliant, and developed India, ensuring economic growth and welfare for all sections of society.