Mon Feb 03 03:12:34 UTC 2025: ## Sitharaman Defends Income Tax Cuts, Links Them to Economic Improvement, Not Elections
**New Delhi, February 2, 2025** – Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday defended the significant income tax cuts announced in the Union Budget, asserting they were designed to boost economic growth and not as a pre-election manoeuvre. Speaking to Hindustan Times, she stated that the changes across all income slabs benefit every taxpayer, irrespective of their earnings.
Sitharaman dismissed allegations linking the tax cuts to upcoming elections, particularly the Delhi Assembly polls. She emphasized that the government respects taxpayers and their crucial role in nation-building, citing the introduction of a taxpayer charter and certificates for regular filers as evidence of this respect.
The Finance Minister also revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed her in 2019-20 to implement technology-driven, faceless assessments, aiming to simplify the process and empower taxpayers to self-assess. She further indicated that a new income tax bill will be introduced in Parliament this week with the aim of passing it during the current session.
Sitharaman also addressed concerns raised by Donald Trump, defending India’s position against any potential trade restrictions imposed by the former US President on BRICS nations. She highlighted the positive impact of the tax reforms on the economy.
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