Congress representative Priyanka Gandhi criticized Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman following her assertion that “there is no inflation, there is no rise in unemployment” during her address in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, February 9.
“I am uncertain about which reality she is referring to. She claims there is no inflation, no increase in unemployment, and no rise in prices…,” stated Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
In the course of the debate regarding the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman remarked that the trend of inflation, especially concerning food, seems to be stabilizing. She also indicated that the government plans to utilize nearly all its borrowing in 2025-26 for capital expenditure.
Sitharaman further addressed worries about a potential increase in the Goods and Services Tax (GST), asserting that there has not been a single item for which the tax rate has been raised since the GST regime was established.
During the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, Sitharaman mentioned that GST rates have been lowered, with the average GST rate decreasing to 11.3 percent from 15.8 percent (the rate at the time of GST implementation).
“This reflects the extent of the rate reductions made by the GST Council. Hence, I urge all members to take some time and engage with their respective finance ministers in the states regarding the progress being made,” she was quoted by PTI as saying.
Sitharaman noted that the Indian economy is experiencing a “swift recovery” from the 5.4 percent growth recorded in the second quarter of the current fiscal year, and the government is committed to ensuring that India remains the fastest-growing economy in the world.
The finance minister asserted that the Budget has introduced various measures aimed at enhancing liquidity for the populace while upholding fiscal responsibility by allocating 99 percent of borrowing in FY 26 to support capital expenditure.
(With contributions from agencies)
