Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Union Budget 2025, calling it a "Force Multiplier" for India's development, framing it as a "budget of aspirations" for the nation’s 140 crore citizens.
He highlighted that the budget is designed to fulfill the dreams of the people and open several sectors for the youth. "This is the budget of the aspirations of 140 crore Indians, this is a budget that fulfills the dreams of every Indian," said PM Modi.
He emphasized that the budget seeks to increase economic participation among the general population.
"This is a budget which fulfills the dreams of our people. We have opened many sectors for the youth. Common citizens are going to drive the mission of Viksit Bharat. This budget is a force multiplier. This budget will increase savings, investment, consumption, and growth. I congratulate Smt Nirmala Sitharaman and her entire team for coming up with a people-centric budget," he added.
PM Modi further noted that this budget is different from previous ones, which mainly focused on filling government coffers.
"Usually the focus of the budget is on how the government treasury will be filled, but this budget is exactly the opposite of that. How will this budget fill the pockets of the citizens of the country, how will the savings of the citizens of the country increase and how will the citizens of the country become partners in development... this budget lays a very strong foundation for this," PM Modi remarked.
The Prime Minister also commended the reforms in the nuclear energy sector, calling the encouragement of the private sector in nuclear energy "historic." He added that this will contribute significantly to the country's development.
"Encouraging the private sector in Nuclear Energy is historic. It will ensure a big contribution of Civil Nuclear Energy in the development of the country," he stated. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of preserving India's heritage, pointing out that the country is progressing with the mantra of "development as well as heritage."
He introduced the "Gyan Bharat Mission" for the preservation of one crore manuscripts. "Today the country is moving ahead with the mantra of 'development as well as heritage'. Very important and concrete steps have been taken for this in this budget," he added.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the granting of infrastructure status to the shipbuilding sector, stressing that it would promote domestic production, support self-reliance, create jobs, and boost tourism.
"The designation of infrastructure status will promote the construction of large ships in the country. Additionally, it will accelerate Atma Nirbhar initiatives. Shipbuilding is a sector that provides significant employment opportunities. Furthermore, the country has vast potential for tourism development," PM Modi said.
Furthermore, PM Modi introduced a new scheme providing loans of up to Rs 2 crore without guarantees to SC, ST, and women entrepreneurs.
"A scheme of providing loans up to Rs 2 crore without guarantee has also been introduced for SC, ST, and women of the country who want to become new entrepreneurs," he stated.
Addressing the inclusion of Gig Workers, he explained, "In this budget, a big announcement has been made for Gig Workers, keeping in mind the New Age Economy. For the first time, Gig Workers will be registered on the e-Shram portal and then they will get the benefit of health services."
The Prime Minister also applauded the tax relief for middle-class citizens, noting that income up to Rs 12 lakh per annum is now tax-free.
"In this budget, income up to Rs 12 lakh per annum has been made tax-free. For all income groups, taxes have been reduced. It will hugely benefit our middle class. Similarly, it will be an opportunity for the people who have recently joined the workforce," he added.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting a "comprehensive" and "visionary" Budget.
Shah highlighted the middle class' benefit from the government's decision to exempt income tax for earnings up to Rs 12 lakh. He emphasized that the middle class has always been a priority for PM Modi.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the 2025 Budget in Parliament. Earlier, Shah described the 2025 Budget as the blueprint for the Modi government's vision of building a developed and best India across all sectors.
