Bhubaneswar: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday responded to Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the Union Budget, saying she was unclear about the “course correction” he was referring to and asserting that the Indian economy remains fundamentally strong.
“I don’t know what course correction he is referring to. The economy and its fundamentals are strong,” Sitharaman said, adding that global uncertainty is impacting many sectors worldwide. She said the government has introduced a range of schemes to cushion vulnerable sections from external volatility.
The Finance Minister pointed to targeted measures for small and medium enterprises, textiles, leather, rural workers, farmers, value addition, women entrepreneurs, and self-help groups, stating that these initiatives are aimed at protecting livelihoods and ensuring stability for ordinary citizens.
“These are ways in which we are reaching out to the common small people to make sure that they don’t have to face big changes in their life because of any volatility coming from outside,” she said.
Responding directly to the political criticism, Sitharaman said opposition leaders were free to critique the Budget but urged them to back their arguments with facts. “Politically, you want to criticise, you’re welcome. Please do it. But if you want to give me the facts on which you’re basing your argument, I’m willing to hear and willing to reply to that,” she added.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier questioned the Union Budget in a social media post, calling for what he described as a course correction in economic policy.
-OdishaAge
