Relief for middle-class, nationalistic education and more: Sangh Parivar's Budget wish-list for FM Sitharaman

RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat. (File Photo: PTI)

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has outlined several key recommendations to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ahead of the Union Budget 2025 due to be presented on Saturday, February 1.

Among the proposals is a significant relief for the middle class, suggesting an increase in the income tax exemption limit to Rs 10 lakh. The RSS also sought implementation of tariffs and trade measures to strengthen domestic industries and reduce dependence on Chinese imports

Additionally, the RSS also emphasised upon the need for a comprehensive national manufacturing policy to enhance India's self-reliance and global competitiveness. These recommendations aim to stimulate economic growth, support local businesses, and promote sustainable development.

The RSS further said that economic policies must ensure that the burden on middle-class households is reduced, local businesses flourish and thrive, and public-sector units are safeguarded from excessive privatisation. It, however, acknowledged that big-ticket reforms, robust tax collection and revenue generation are equally necessary.

The demands and/or recommendations were part of the representations received by the Finance Minister during her interactions with Over half-a-dozen organisations affiliated to the Sangh Parivar, including Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), and Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM).

The recommendations come amid a larger concern about the increasing financial burden on the middle class that forms the backbone of the Indian economy and also happens to be a loyal voter base of the BJP.

The Sangh expects some tax relief, higher deductions on essential expenses like healthcare and education, and stricter measures to control inflation, CNN-News18 reported citing a senior RSS functionary.

Besides middle-class individuals, the Sangh has also emphasized upon the need to support local businesses and reduce dependence on multinational corporations. The Sangh Parivar's demands include easier credit, lower compliance costs, and incentives for domestic manufacturers to strengthen the SME sector.

"We have sought hand-holding for our small and medium-sector enterprises. We had earlier suggested imposition of tariffs on some Chinese products like umbrellas and footwear. The government needs to protect indigenous businesses. It has taken several steps but we expect more measures," Om Prakash Gupta, national general secretary of RSS affiliate Laghu Udyog Bharati, said.

The Swadeshi Jagran Manch has also called for a national manufacturing policy to safeguard home-bred businesses and industries. Ashwini Mahajan, economist and co-convener of SJM, said: “We have suggested PLIs for SMEs. At least 50 per cent of total PLIs should come to the SME sectors. We also want our homegrown sectors to thrive and, for that, we need to reduce dependence on foreign imports and encourage our indigenous manufacturing sectors."

Education also features high on the wish-list of the Sangh with "nationalistic education" remaining the top priority for the RSS and its affiliates. The ABVP, the students' wing of the RSS, also met the FM last month and demanded higher investments in rural schools and other higher-education industries across states, including skill-development programmes, and research institutions.

The Sangh has also sought a structured oversight on foreign influence in academia and some corrective measures, if needed, ensuring that Indian educational institutions align with nationalist goals and cultural heritage and wants the government to set up one authority to oversee all educational institutions and training centres.