Middle class expanded, economy grew: Finance Minister

Nirmala Sitharaman, India's Union Finance Minister, refuted claims that the Indian economy is dead, stating it achieved high growth and low inflation through government efforts. She addressed criticism from Rahul Gandhi, who had previously made such statements, emphasizing that the country's economic progress is a result of collective effort by its people. Sitharaman also highlighted the expansion of the middle class in recent years, citing increased tax collection and formalization as evidence of their growing participation in the economy.