New Delhi/IBNS, Feb. 1 -- The Congress has treaded cautiously while reacting to union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget 2025, the first full one since the Modi government returned to power for the third term.

Muting the critics and opposition parties, Sitharaman announced zero tax till the income of Rs. 12 lakh per year under the new tax regime in a massive relief to the middle class.

Sitharaman on Friday announced that the new Income Tax bill will be introduced next week.

Sitharaman said the new bill will be a lot simpler for the taxpayers to understand.

The 1961 Act, which is about imposing direct tax as well as security transactions, gifts and wealth, comprises 23 chapters and 298 sections.

The Direct Tax Code, which wa...