NEW DELHI: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday asserted that the Centre’s funds are not a “free pool of cash that can be used at will,” stressing that every taxpayer rupee is fully accounted for and that no state or scheme has faced denial or stoppage of funds. She dismissed opposition allegations of cuts, saying fund releases are now tied to measurable delivery on the ground.
Replying to the discussion on the Budget in the Rajya Sabha, Sitharaman said India remains on a strong growth path, marked by low unemployment and a rising middle class. She described the current phase as one of elevated growth and low inflation, driven by sustained reforms, careful planning, and timely policy interventions. The Budget, she said, reflects the government’s commitment to building a resilient and self-reliant India.
Addressing concerns over welfare allocations, the minister said earlier governments measured success by the volume of funds disbursed without ensuring effective utilisation, which created large unspent balances. “We now ensure full transparency. Funds are not released merely to show expenditure; they are released based on actual requirements at the ground level,” she said, reiterating that there has been no withholding of funds to any state or scheme.
Criticising the Congress for what she termed “crocodile tears” over rising debt, Sitharaman said the opposition’s approach encourages excessive borrowing. “The government cannot borrow recklessly. That principle guides us. While Congress focuses on outlays, we prioritise outcomes and results,” she said.
Rejecting claims of high inflation, the minister said inflation is at a historic low and that there is no inflation crisis at present. She credited policy stability and government measures for keeping prices under control, adding that “growth without jobs” was characteristic of the UPA era.
Sitharaman also targeted the TMC-led West Bengal government, alleging that it has failed to implement centrally funded welfare schemes, thereby depriving beneficiaries. Responding to criticism from the DMK that Tamil Nadu received no major announcements ahead of elections, she listed several Budget proposals for the state.
Replying to former finance minister P. Chidambaram’s description of the Budget as “forgettable,” Sitharaman said the Budget never ignores the past. “We must cherish a glorious past, learn from a tarnished one, and avoid repeating mistakes,” she remarked, amid continued political exchanges in Parliament.
