New Delhi, Feb. 1 -- Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri called this year's Union Budget excellent and highlighted the income tax exemption up to Rs 12 lakhs which he said will increase the middle class spending, giving a fillip to the economy.

"It was an excellent budget... The middle class has been exempted from the income tax on income of up to Rs 12 lakhs and many such provisions are there," Puri told ANI.

"What stands out about this budget is it provides a feel good factor. It will encourage spending not only in infrastructure because of capex but the middle class will also spend more because of the tax exemption," he added.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during her Union Budget 2025 speech, announced that no income tax will b...