- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: Parliament on Thursday approved the Finance Bill, 2025, with Rajya Sabha returning it to Lok Sabha, which had passed the legislation on March 25.
Rajya Sabha also returned the Appropriation Bill (3). The return of the Finance Bill marks the completion of the budget process, which started on February 1 after the presentation of the union budget.
In her reply, Sitharaman hit back at opposition leaders for their allegations against the government and also referred to the remarks of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram.
She rejected allegations of discrimination against states ruled by parties that are in the opposition in Parliament.
“For Tamil Nadu, Rs. 58,021 crore has been budgeted as tax devolution for the upcoming year 2025-26. Tax devolution to Tamil Nadu between 2004-14 was Rs. 94,971 crore. Between 2014-24, Rs. 2,92,013 crores, which is 207 % more. Grants-in-aid and government of from Government of India during 2004-14 was Rs. 57,925 crores. From 2014-24, it is Rs. 2,55,875 Crore, a 342% increase” Sitharaman said.
She said Kerala has received Rs. 1.57 lakh crore between 2014-24, which is an increase of 239% from the UPA period (2004-14) where they received Rs. 46,300 crore.
Referring to the steps taken by the government for the middle class, Sitharaman said PM Modi had, in January 2025, approved the establishment of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) to revise the salaries and benefits of Central Government employees and pensioners.
She said all Central Government pensioners who had retired before 1.1.2016 are receiving pension at par with employees who retired after 1.1.2016.
Keeping in view the recommendations which were made by the 6th CPC, a distinction among pensioners is inevitable and that is what is being brought in as an amendment and by way of validation, she said.
“The validation rules do not, in any way, change or alter the existing pensions so fixed of existing Civil Pensioners from the present stage. The validation rules also do not affect Defence Pensioners in any way as they are covered by separate rules. It is not an amendment to any pension rules or instructions but only a reaffirmation of the same w.e.f. 1st June, 1972, i.e. the date the CCS (Pension) Rules were promulgated. The 6th Central Pay Commission made a distinction between the retirees of pre-1.1.2006 and those of post-1.1.2006 periods,” she said.
“The then-Government (Congress-led UPA) had accepted the recommendations of 6th Central Pay Commission and decided that there will be a distinction between pensioners with reference to the cut-off date of 1.1.2006. The 7th Central Pay Commission has brought in parity between pre 1.1.2016 and post 1.1.2016 Pensioners. I again reiterate that this is only a validation of existing rules. This does not alter or change existing civil or defence pension,” she added.
