New Delhi, Feb 1: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget speech on Wednesday was marked by the usual thumping of benches by the ruling alliance members, but the loudest cheer was reserved for her announcement of income tax relief, which was welcomed by “Modi, Modi” chants in Lok Sabha that also witnessed a few instances of protest by the Opposition.
Sitharaman’s follow-up statement that the tax relief will only be available to those opting for the new regime might have dampened spirits, but another round of applause from the treasury benches came when she announced a massive 33 per cent hike in the capital expenditure to Rs 10 lakh crore.
The treasury benches frequently broke into chants of “Modi Modi”.
Congress members welcomed their former president Rahul Gandhi with the slogan of ‘Jodo, Jodo, Bharat Jodo’ when he entered Lok Sabha a few minutes after Sitharaman had started her speech.
Many ministers, some tightly squeezed into their seats to accommodate others as the ruling alliance members were present in full strength, and a few Opposition members were seen making notes during the speech.
The one opposition member who rose a few times to lodge a protest was Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Leader of the Congress in the House. However, his lone voice was often drowned out by the treasure benches as the finance minister continued her speech.
The Lok Sabha chamber witnessed camaraderie before the House assembled for the day with National Conference members Farooq Abdullah and Hasnain Masoodi having a chat with Home Minister Amit Shah.
Sitharaman was welcomed with a huge round of applause by the treasury benches and was seen taking out her tablet PC from the red coloured bahi-khata pouch with a golden coloured national emblem on it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked in shortly before 11:00 am, welcomed by the chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.
Soon after, Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi, draped in a black saree with pink border, walked in the House with deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi in tow.
A bearded Rahul Gandhi entered the Lok Sabha with Congress members chanting Jodo, Jodo, Bharat Jodo’ after Sitharaman.
The Congress members’ action left several ministers and BJP members visibly irritated, but Sitharaman continued with her speech calmly.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked loudly if the government plans to reduce the prices of petroleum products, when the Finance Minister mentioned the Green Hydrogen Mission.
The prime minister walked up to Sitharaman to congratulate her after she presented the Budget. The Finance Minister was surrounded by her ministerial colleagues as well as some members of the Opposition.
Sitharaman’s daughter and relatives were present in the Speaker’s Gallery of Lok Sabha during the Budget presentation.
