Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday firmly countered criticism of the Union Budget 2026, asserting that India’s economic base remains resilient and that the government has rolled out targeted measures to protect ordinary citizens from global economic turbulence. Her remarks came hours after Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi questioned the direction of the Budget.
Addressing the media after presenting the Budget, Sitharaman dismissed claims that the government had ignored key economic challenges. She said the administration had adopted a wide-ranging strategy to support sectors vulnerable to international instability, including small businesses, agriculture and rural employment.
Responding to Gandhi’s demand for what he described as “course correction,” the finance minister said she found the criticism vague. “If someone says correction is needed, they should clearly explain where and why,” she remarked, adding that the government’s focus has been on cushioning citizens against sudden global shocks rather than reacting with short-term fixes.
Sitharaman highlighted multiple schemes aimed at micro, small and medium enterprises, traditional industries such as textiles and leather, as well as initiatives focused on farmers, women-led businesses and self-help groups. According to her, these interventions are designed to ensure income stability and prevent disruptions in livelihoods during uncertain global conditions. “Our priority is to make sure that external volatility does not turn into daily hardship for common people,” she said.
Taking a sharp political tone, the finance minister added that criticism is part of democracy but should be backed by data. “You are free to criticise politically, but if you bring facts to the table, I am ready to respond with facts,” she stated.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had launched a pointed attack on the Budget, accusing the government of failing to acknowledge deep-rooted economic problems. In a social media post, he listed issues such as rising joblessness among youth, weakening manufacturing activity, reduced household savings and ongoing distress in the farming sector. He also warned of global economic headwinds and alleged that the Budget did little to prepare India for them.
In her Budget presentation, Sitharaman announced a significant expansion in public investment, increasing capital expenditure to ₹12.2 lakh crore for the next financial year. The government has also placed special emphasis on infrastructure development in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, aiming to stimulate growth beyond major urban centres.
