Agartala: Feb 12: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, during a press conference at the state BJP office, discussed the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament. He stated that the budget is aimed at making India self-reliant and ensures development for people across all regions of the country. A significant highlight of the budget is the tax relief for individuals earning up to Rs. 12 lakh annually, which will benefit approximately 5.65 crore people.
The budget focuses on increasing the country’s production capacity, particularly in districts with lower production rates. Special provisions have been made for farmers, including loans of up to Rs. 5 lakh for those with Kisan Credit Cards. Furthermore, women entrepreneurs from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities will be eligible for loans of up to Rs. 2 crore.
Sonowal also emphasized the government’s push for the leather industry, which will provide employment for 22 lakh people. Additionally, an institution will be established to promote Artificial Intelligence (AI), with an investment of Rs. 500 crore. He highlighted the significant development in the Northeast over the past 8-10 years, particularly in Tripura, where improvements in rail, road, and air connectivity have been substantial. Currently, 25 to 30 trains operate in and out of Tripura.
Sonowal attributed these developments to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, asserting that India’s economy is poised to become the third-largest in the world within the next five years, and the largest in the next 25 years. He credited Modi’s effective policies for the country’s rapid progress, with the world now looking toward India as an economic powerhouse. The press conference was also attended by BJP state general secretary Bipin Debbarma, media in-charge Sunil Saha, and others.
