New Delhi, Feb 2 (PTI) Paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday described the Union Budget as "by the people, for the people, of the people", and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fully behind the idea to cut taxes but it took time to convince the bureaucrats.

"We have heard the voice of middle class" who had been complaining about their aspirations not being met despite being honest taxpayers, she told PTI in an interview. PTI TEAM VJ HVA

Tax policy signals renewed emphasis on middle-class relief, with commitment to reduce tax burdens despite administrative delays. Union Budget tax policy emphasizes a government commitment to reducing tax burdens for the middle class, framed as responsive fiscal policy reflecting popular aspirations. The Finance Minister stated that tax cuts are supported at the highest political level but have encountered administrative hesitation, indicating an internal procedural dynamic between policymaking intent and bureaucratic implementation.