Opposition parties criticized the Union Budget as a disappointment, especially for states not ruled by the NDA. Congress accused the government of lacking new ideas, while leaders from TMC, DMK, and RJD expressed concerns over the Budget’s focus on Bihar and neglect of states like West Bengal and Jharkhand. The middle class also felt let down.
Former Union finance minister P Chidambaram criticized the Union Budget presented by Nirmala Sitharaman, claiming it targets the middle class and Bihar voters ahead of upcoming state elections. He argued the government lacks new ideas and is unwilling to deregulate or empower entrepreneurs, predicting only 6-6.5% growth.
Eight Aam Aadmi Party MLAs joined the Bharatiya Janata Party after resigning from AAP, accusing it of straying from its founding ideals of transparency and anti-corruption. They cited a lack of internal democracy and centralisation of the party. This mass resignation strikes a significant blow to AAP ahead of the crucial Delhi Assembly elections on February 5.
The resumption of the Census 2021 exercise, suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, appears unlikely in the coming year, with a reduced budget allocation of Rs 574 crore. Discussions on including a caste census and the need for accurate methodology are also contributing to the delay.
The government announced the establishment of a National Manufacturing Mission to further promote the Make in India initiative. The mission will focus on ease of doing business, workforce readiness, MSME sector, technology availability, and product quality. Sectors will be identified based on objective criteria, and facilitation groups will be formed for select products and supply chains.
India’s military modernization continues with a modest budget hike of 9.5%, bringing the overall defence budget to Rs 6.8 lakh crore. The capital outlay of Rs 1.8 lakh crore for modernization faces challenges due to major operational shortfalls and unspent funds. Significant investments are planned for indigenous and international defence procurement.
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman wore a handcrafted Madhubani saree by Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi on Budget Day. The saree, which took a month to craft, was a gift from Devi during Sitharaman’s visit to the Mithila Art Institute. Devi expressed her joy at this honor.
Opposition leaders criticized the Union Budget presented by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman for not addressing the middle class and small business owners. The budget favored corporate loans over relief for common citizens, with significant allocations to Bihar ahead of upcoming elections, while neglecting states like West Bengal.
BSP President Mayawati criticizes the Union Budget 2025 for prioritizing politics over resolving real issues like inflation, poverty, and unemployment. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh also expresses concerns over ignored proposals and bias towards Bihar, leading to opposition MPs staging a walkout in protest.
On the final day of his official visit to Tibetan settlements in West Bengal, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, visited various Tibetan monasteries, addressing the oppressive policies of China.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s eighth Union Budget for 2025-26 included significant announcements for Bihar ahead of elections, sparking criticisms of political bias. Opposition leaders also pointed out the neglect of Andhra Pradesh and accused the government of ignoring vital welfare policies. Measures include new airports in Bihar, increased FDI in insurance, and initiatives for the marine sector.
Gurajada Appa Rao (1862–1915) was a prominent Indian playwright, poet, and social reformer, best known for his contributions to Telugu literature. Born in Rayavaram village in the Vizianagaram district of present-day Andhra Pradesh, Appa Rao grew up in a period marked by social transformation influenced by British colonial rule and the Indian Renaissance. His literary works and reformist ideas left a lasting impact on Telugu culture, making him a revered figure in the annals of Indian literature.