The Lok Sabha has taken up the Finance Bill, 2026, for consideration and passage. The bill aims to implement the financial proposals of the Central Government for the financial year 2026-2027. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the bill in the House.
Starting the discussion, Dr. Amar Singh of the Congress raised the issue of unemployment in the country. He alleged that the tax exemptions provided by the government are only benefiting a select few. He stated that inflation is the biggest challenge facing the country, and questioned the government's strategies to address it.
Participating in the discussion, Dr. Nishikant Dubey accused the UPA government of issuing Oil Bonds and Gold Bonds during its tenure, arguing that these instruments have placed an additional burden on the government exchequer at the current time. He stated that diesel and oil prices have increased by 20% in the USA and 23% in Dubai due to the West Asia conflict, but the government has not increased the prices of diesel and petrol to provide relief to the people of the country.
Ramshankar Rajbhar of the Samajwadi Party questioned why unemployment rates are high in the country despite growth in GDP. He also criticized the government's recent decisions regarding the booking of LPG cylinders. Sougata Ray of Trinamool Congress raised the issue of the weakening of the rupee against the US dollar. He accused that expenditures on healthcare and education are decreasing.
Supriya Sule of NCP raised the issue of the reported shortage of LPG cylinders, stating that people are facing difficulties in obtaining them. She emphasized the need to resolve this crisis. She also highlighted the rupee's decline against the US dollar, noting that it has reached 94 rupees per dollar.
Arun Nehru of DMK said that the debt-to-GDP ratio has reached 56%, and the Central government is not adhering to the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act. Sunil Kumar of JDU praised Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting a development-oriented and inclusive budget. He stated that this year's budget focuses on employment generation and infrastructure development.
Anil Yeshwant Desai of Shiv Sena (UBT) said that metro cities are facing challenges in providing basic amenities to residents, such as electricity, good roads, water, and clean air. Ravindra Dattaram Waikar of Shiv Sena stated that India was previously part of the "Fragile Five" economies, but it is now the fastest-growing economy in the world.
Shambhavi of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) lauded the government's initiatives related to women's empowerment. She stated that India is witnessing women-led development. PV Midhun Reddy of YSR Congress, Abhay Kumar Sinha of RJD, Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad of Congress, Basavaraj Bommai of BJP, Raja Ram Singh of CPI(ML) (L) and others also participated in the debate. The discussion is ongoing.
