Opposition Claims Most States Overlooked in Modi 3.0's Union Budget

Opposition parties criticised the Union Budget on Monday, claiming most states received no benefits from the first major economic document of the Modi 3.0 government. In contrast, treasury benches praised the Rs 48.2 lakh crore budget presented in Parliament on July 23, citing comprehensive national development.

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Economic Achievements Highlighted

During the general discussion on the budget, senior BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi highlighted achievements such as GDP growth, rising foreign exchange reserves, a declining fiscal deficit, and increased foreign remittances. He aimed to counter opposition claims that the government favours corporates by noting that corporate taxes have been reduced to enhance industry competitiveness.

Trivedi also mentioned that global multinational corporations are moving their bases away from China, where corporate tax is 25 per cent. He praised the central government's efforts in controlling inflation and responded to Congress's criticism regarding the absence of SC, ST, and OBC individuals at the traditional halwa ceremony before the budget.

Opposition's Critique

Congress member Imran Pratapgarhi argued that the budget has been unfair to states, youth, farmers, women, and the middle class. He noted that the finance minister only mentioned inflation briefly despite tomato prices soaring to Rs 100 per kg. Pratapgarhi described the budget as "jhoot ka pulinda" (pack of lies) and compared it to Prime Minister's Mann Ki Baat.

IUML member Abdul Wahab stated that Kerala received nothing from the budget and demanded an increase in the MPLAD fund from Rs 5 crore to at least Rs 10-15 crore annually. Sanjay Raut of SS-UBT questioned how a budget with no mention of Maharashtra, Telangana, Haryana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Odisha, Delhi, West Bengal, and Jharkhand could be called a Union Budget.

Regional Disparities

Raut suggested that Lok Sabha election results influenced budget allocations to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. He argued that while farmers should receive MSP (Minimum Support Price), Bihar and Andhra Pradesh have only received minimal support. Congress MP Rajeev Shukla criticised various aspects of the budget and called for a review of several GST provisions to aid the MSME sector.

Shukla also pointed out significant unemployment in the country and its impact on BJP's Lok Sabha seat tally. He questioned how jobs would be created when capital expenditure has been reduced by Rs 1 lakh crore. CPI-M member John Brittas mocked the Modi government by saying that next year, the finance minister might present budgets for Haryana and Maharashtra.

Brittas further commented that the finance minister has redefined NDA as "Nitish Naidu Dependent Alliance." This remark was aimed at highlighting perceived biases in budget allocations towards certain states based on political alliances.

The debate over the Union Budget continues with both sides presenting their arguments. While government supporters highlight economic growth and stability measures, opposition members focus on regional disparities and social justice issues.