Rahul Gandhi and Other Leaders Criticize Union Budget 2024-25
New Delhi [India], July 23: The leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, criticized the Union Budget 2024-25 on Tuesday, accusing the Finance Minister of making hollow promises. He tweeted, “Kursi Bachao Budget. Appease Allies: Hollow promises to them at the cost of other states. Appease Cronies: Benefits to AA with no relief for the common Indian. Copy and Paste: Congress manifesto and previous budgets.”
Mallikarjun Kharge also tweeted, “Modi Government’s ‘copycat budget’ could not even copy Congress’ justice agenda properly! The Modi Government’s budget is distributing half-hearted ‘rewadis’ to dupe its coalition partners so that the NDA survives. This is not a budget for the ‘progress of the country,’ it is a ‘save Modi government’ budget!”
Kharge criticized the budget’s lack of substantial announcements for the youth, farmers, Dalits, Adivasis, backward classes, minorities, middle class, and rural poor. He stated that there was no significant plan for women, and the government was ignoring critical issues like rising inflation and rural development. He noted, “There is nothing concrete! The word ‘poor’ has become just a means of self-branding.”
Kharge further lambasted the government for its failure to address railway safety, conduct a census, and increase job opportunities.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram noted that the budget had “missed opportunities” and welcomed the adoption of Congress’ Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) and Apprenticeship scheme. However, he wished more ideas from the Congress manifesto had been included. Chidambaram also welcomed the move to abolish the Angel Tax, a long-standing demand of the Congress.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also criticized the Union Budget, labelling it a ploy to retain power by mentioning special projects for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. Yadav said, “They have increased unemployment in the last 10 years,” and questioned what the BJP had done for farmers and youth. Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav added, “The main concern regarding women is their safety, and this issue has not been addressed. The government does not want to take any steps to control inflation.”
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury joined the chorus of criticism, stating that the budget failed to address rising unemployment, inflation, and food prices. He pointed out that government expenditure as per GDP has decreased, which would lead to increased problems for the people.
In her budget announcement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted new airports and medical colleges in Bihar, temple corridors, and special funds for the Rajgir Jain Temple site. Andhra Pradesh received special financial support to address its need for capital, with an allocation of Rs 15,000 crore for the current fiscal year.
Doubts Revealed
Rahul Gandhi -: Rahul Gandhi is a well-known Indian politician and a member of the Indian National Congress party. He is the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, which is the lower house of India’s Parliament.
Union Budget -: The Union Budget is a financial plan presented by the government of India every year. It outlines the government’s revenue and expenditure for the upcoming financial year.
Lok Sabha -: Lok Sabha is the lower house of India’s Parliament. It is where elected representatives discuss and make laws for the country.
Mallikarjun Kharge -: Mallikarjun Kharge is an Indian politician and a senior leader of the Indian National Congress party. He has held various important positions in the government.
P Chidambaram -: P Chidambaram is an Indian politician and a member of the Indian National Congress party. He has served as the Finance Minister of India in the past.
Akhilesh Yadav -: Akhilesh Yadav is an Indian politician and the leader of the Samajwadi Party. He has served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, a state in India.
Sitaram Yechury -: Sitaram Yechury is an Indian politician and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He is known for his strong views on various social and economic issues.
Finance Minister -: The Finance Minister is a government official responsible for managing the financial affairs of the country. In India, the current Finance Minister is Nirmala Sitharaman.
Nirmala Sitharaman -: Nirmala Sitharaman is an Indian politician and the current Finance Minister of India. She is responsible for presenting the Union Budget and managing the country’s finances.
Bihar -: Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage.
Andhra Pradesh -: Andhra Pradesh is a state in southern India. It is known for its diverse culture and significant contributions to Indian agriculture and industry.
Unemployment -: Unemployment means not having a job. It is a situation where people who want to work cannot find a job.
Inflation -: Inflation is when the prices of goods and services go up over time. It means you need more money to buy the same things.
