Sat Feb 01 11:45:25 UTC 2025: ## Tharoor Criticizes Budget 2025, Highlights Omission of Unemployment

**New Delhi** – Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday sharply criticized the Union Budget 2025, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, arguing that its focus on tax cuts for the employed overlooks the plight of the unemployed. While acknowledging the potential benefits of the revised tax slabs under the new regime – offering no income tax for those earning up to ₹12 lakh annually (₹12.75 lakh for salaried individuals including standard deduction) – Tharoor questioned the government’s silence on pressing issues.

“The applause from BJP benches was for the middle-class tax cut,” Tharoor stated. “But the important question is, what happens if we don’t have a salary?” He pointed out the Finance Minister’s failure to address unemployment and inflation in her budget speech, stating, “We didn’t even hear the words unemployment or inflation… which is not so merciful.”

Tharoor further accused the BJP government of using the budget for electoral gains, suggesting that pre-election sops are being directed towards ally parties in states like Bihar.

The new tax regime, detailed in the budget, offers significantly lower tax rates compared to the previous year. However, the exemption is contingent upon taxpayers availing of reliefs under various sections of the Income Tax Act. Finance Minister Sitharaman countered that the new structure would substantially reduce taxes for the middle class, stimulating consumption, savings, and investment.

The revised tax slabs for FY25-26 range from 0% for income up to ₹4 lakh to 30% for income above ₹24 lakh, a considerable shift from the previous year’s structure. Despite these changes, Tharoor’s criticism highlights a key concern: the budget’s apparent lack of focus on addressing unemployment, a major challenge facing the Indian economy.

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