Talks are underway regarding the Union Budget for the year 2025 which is going to be presented by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2025. The middle class is looking towards the Narendra Modi government seeking for some ease in taxes.

There are several other suggestions or even drafts which were presented by the organizations associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ( RSS ) during the pre budget meeting with Finance Minister Sitharaman. Some of these are, increasing tax-free income to Rs 10 Lakh and tax exempt income to Rs 10 lakh, a fresh infusion of funds in the agricultural sector, In an effort to expedite Economic recovery, Increase the number of working days under MGNREGA to 200, expedite the process of refunding GST paid by businesses, and strategise thoroughly on how to raise manufacturing industries to face the challenge of Chinese imorts.

The recommendations made by Pawan Kumar and the other leaders of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) were submitted to Sitharaman on Monday.

"Raise income threshold for income tax to 10 lakhs with exemptions existing as of now. Instant Pay commission needs to be established, pensions must not be taxed," BMS statement read.

Other demands

BMS demanded extension of MGNREGA scheme to ensure that every family has 200 work days in rural employment in a year, as well as, a targeted support programme for agriculture, plantation, beedi, fisheries industries. They demanded the 8th Pay Commission to be enacted alongside a 10lakh tax exemption, where OPS would be favored compared to NPS and UPS.

They suggested that the employee’s gratuity include 30 days per year instead of 15 days and that tax for pensioners be removed.

Punjabi writers rang the alarm about EPS-95 retirees to the finance ministry, which argues that due to the lack of further EPS pension increase, the monthly pension paid to EPS-95 retirees should first be increased to five thousand rupees and subsequently automatically set to fifty percent of the government defined minimum wage linked to Variable dearance allowance.’

They have also proposed that EPS-95 pensioners be included in the Ayushman Bharat scheme, as well as introduce old age pensions to all. Furthermore, the organisation has called for regular budget allocations in favor of section-wise industrial boards like beedi workers welfare board, contract labour board, etc., which used to be resources through a cess before the advent of the GST ecosystem.