Ashneer Grover sums Union Budget 2026 as ‘bilkul time waste’; Netizens react, ‘Bas disappointment’

BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover has sharply reacted to the Union Budget 2026, calling it a complete waste of time. Taking to the social media platform X, Grover described the Budget as “Bilkul time waste,” invoking a line from his popular Shark Tank India rebuke.

Ashneer Grover reacts to Union Budget 2026

“This budget reminded of my rebuke on Shark Tank to one of the pitchers: ‘Bilkul time waste kiya aapne – apna bhi aur humara bhi!’” he wrote in a frustrating tone.

The criticism came amid sharp volatility on Dalal Street after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a surge in the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on derivatives, to curb excessive speculation in the futures and options (F&O) segment.

 Equity benchmarks reversed early gains and jumped into the red. The Sensex crashed as much as 2,370.36 points, or 2.88%, during intraday trade to slip below the 80,000 mark at 79,899.42.

It later pared losses, but still the session ended with 1,546.84 points down, or 1.88%, at 80,722.94. 

This budget reminded of my rebuke on Shark Tank to one of the pitchers:

“Bilkul time waste kiya aapne - apna bhi aur humara bhi !”

— Ashneer Grover (@Ashneer_Grover) February 1, 2026

Also read: 'I want you back': Deepinder Goyal calls former Zomato employees to rejoin company (startuppedia.in)

Details on Budget 2026

Sitharaman defended the broader intent of her ninth straight Budget, saying it was guided by three “Kartavyas” or responsibilities to accelerate and sustain economic growth by enhancing competitiveness, fulfilling the aspirations of citizens, and ensuring that every family, community and region has access to resources and opportunities for participation. 

Unveiling a ₹53.5 lakh crore Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced measures to boost manufacturing, a tax holiday for global data centres, and targeted incentives for agriculture and tourism, positioning the Budget as a long-term blueprint to sustain growth amid rising global risks.

The government increased its capital expenditure allocation to ₹12.2 lakh crore, up from ₹11.2 lakh crore in the previous fiscal year, indicating its continued emphasis on infrastructure-driven growth amid ongoing global economic uncertainty.

Although no revisions were made to the existing income tax slabs, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the New Tax Act will take effect from April 1, 2026.

The Budget presentation was also notable for its historical significance, as it marked the first time India’s Union Budget was presented on a Sunday.

Also read: India joins elite league by successfully carrying out test of key SFDR technology for long-range missiles (startuppedia.in)