New Delhi, Feb 1: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman firmly countered Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the Union Budget, asserting that India’s economic fundamentals remain robust and the provisions cater to every section of society.
Dismissing Gandhi’s call for “course correction,” she highlighted targeted schemes for small and medium enterprises, textiles, leather sectors, farmers, and women entrepreneurs amid global uncertainties. “These are ways the government is reaching out to common small people, ensuring they benefit from various schemes,” Sitharaman stated during her post-Budget media interaction.
She specifically praised initiatives like Lakhpati Didis for empowering rural women and the new Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts—community-owned retail outlets supported by innovative financing within cluster-level federations. “We are reaching out to the poor in difficult terrains or rural areas,” she emphasized.
Responding to Gandhi’s X post lamenting youth unemployment, falling manufacturing, investor outflows, plummeting household savings, farmer distress, and ignored global shocks, Sitharaman invited fact-based critique: “The fundamentals of the economy remain strong, as shown in the economic survey. Politically criticize if you want, but give me facts, and I’ll reply.”
Earlier, while presenting the Budget in Lok Sabha, she underscored 12 years of stability, fiscal discipline, sustained growth, and moderate inflation through structural reforms, public investment, and atmanirbharta (self-reliance). This has boosted domestic manufacturing, energy security, and reduced critical import dependencies.
