When Can Middle Class Expect Relief In Income Tax? Nirmala Sitharaman Tells Arnab | Exclusive

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that she has observed the voice of the middle class in the country and would be doing something for them in the future. The Union Minister was speaking exclusively to Republic TV's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami on 100 days of Modi government's 3.0.

On being asked why she is tough with the middle class, when can they expect a break because they pay more taxes compared to the corporates and also given that the personal tax collections of the government has seen a surge, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she has observed the voice of the middle class. The government came with the ease of compliance through faceless compliance. The government brought a second tax regime which is a new band of tax and reduced rates within a year in the recent July budget.

She further said that the government has removed the angel tax which will help the startups, the income tax rebate limit was increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 750,000 and they are also focussing on the affordable housing.

When asked when can the middle class expect some relief, the Union Minister said, “…every budget we are doing somethin… Only now if I can say that Arnab Yes, please take my word, I will do something for the middle class.. but I can’t.” 

Rahul Gandhi using caste card consciously? 

Nirmala Sitharaman spoke on the Opposition's mandate and said that they are doing a dis-service to the nation if they are misusing it. She said that Indians don't like any people from INDIA bloc to go outside abroad and speak against the country. 

On Rahul Gandhi 's caste politics, Sitharaman said that he is using it consciously. The Finance Minister said that she was astonished to see that some guests on the Pakistani news channel questioned Rahul Gandhi asking what kind of leader he is who is insulting his own country.

Will petrol prices be reduced? Sitharaman answers

Nirmala Sitharaman said that the Modi government has given relief to the common man every time when there was an opportunity. He has reduced the prices and several states, especially the BJP -ruled further reduced the rates.

However, fuel prices in those states who have distributed freebees including Himachal, Tamil Nadu to name a few, exhausted their budgets and failed to provide relief in petrol prices as much as others could do.

There have been two instances in the past when the Modi government announced major reduction in petrol prices and the same was followed by several states, bringing relief to the common man, especially at a time when the world was facing pandemic and Russia-Urkaine war.