High personal income tax collection does not mean middle class being suppressed: Sitharaman in Rajya Sabha

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that high personal income tax collection does not indicate suppression of the middle class. She highlighted evidence of middle-class expansion. Sitharaman emphasized the Budget's focus on a self-reliant India and urged state participation in announced schemes. She countered claims of welfare scheme expenditure cuts, noting unspent funds were lower than in the past.