NEW DELHI 14,FEB, 2025: In a sharp rebuttal to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s recent statements, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has accused the FM of using technicalities to mislead the middle class regarding the latest income tax proposals. Chadha emphasized that the government’s budgetary announcements on tax exemptions have left many middle-income earners confused and frustrated, especially regarding the Rs. 12 lakh threshold for income tax.
According to the Finance Minister’s budget presentation, the Rs. 12 lakh amount is being promoted as a rebate rather than an exemption. However, Chadha pointed out that the real implications of this policy are far from what has been portrayed by the government. He clarified that when an individual’s income crosses the Rs. 12 lakh mark, the entire income is taxed, and not just the portion above Rs. 12 lakh, as one might expect from an exemption.
Chadha cited an example to further explain: “If someone earns Rs. 12.76 lakh, they will be required to pay tax on the entire Rs. 12.76 lakh, not just the Rs. 76,000 exceeding the Rs. 12 lakh threshold. This is a significant misunderstanding being promoted as a tax rebate.” He argued that the lack of transparency and clarity in the government’s communications only served to confuse taxpayers who had hoped for substantial tax relief.
The MP took issue with what he called the Finance Minister’s attempt to “hoodwink” the middle class through these technicalities. He further criticized Sitharaman for making “personal charges and cheap-shots” against opposition figures rather than addressing the core issue of providing clear, fair, and effective tax relief.
Chadha called on the government to “focus on solving real issues” for the middle class rather than creating confusion with convoluted tax provisions. He urged the Finance Minister to remove personal attacks from the debate and instead prioritize constructive discussions that benefit the citizens of India.
In conclusion, Raghav Chadha’s response to the Finance Minister’s statements has underscored a growing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of tax reforms, particularly among the salaried class. As many taxpayers continue to struggle with rising costs of living, they had hoped for more straightforward and meaningful changes in the budget. However, the confusion surrounding the new tax proposals has raised questions about the government’s priorities and its commitment to truly easing the financial burden on the middle class
The Impressive Times
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