New Delhi, Feb. 1 -- Dear Reader,

Speaking to the media just before the beginning of the budget session yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi uncharacteristically invoked Goddess Lakshmi. "I bow before the Goddess of prosperity-Maa Lakshmi. I pray Maa Laxmi to bless the poor and middle-class people of the country," he said. Goddess Lakshmi answered his prayers in less than 24 hours.

Any individual earning an income of up to Rs.12 lakh will now be exempt from paying income tax from 2025-26. Yes. This benefit is available only if you are part of the new income tax regime. Till 2024-25, this limit was Rs.7 lakh. If you are still hanging on to the old income tax regime, it might be time to shift. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman made t...