Farmer Leader Rakesh Tikait Criticizes Union Budget 2024
After the Union Budget 2024 was presented in Parliament, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that the budget would not benefit farmers on the ground. Tikait said, “They (the Centre) might find this budget good on paper, but it is not going to benefit the farmers on the ground. Companies that will teach organic farming to the farmers are going to benefit from this.”
He further mentioned that the government should provide free electricity and water if they wanted farmers to benefit. “The government should pay the price of crops, provide free power and water, offer cheap fertilizers, and reduce GST on farming equipment if they want to benefit farmers,” he said.
Tikait also highlighted the plight of women involved in milk production, stating that they are landless and there are no provisions for them. He questioned the government’s efforts for laborers and rural health, asking, “What did you do for the labourers who work in factories? What did you do for health? Are there any plans for rural health?”
On the government’s plan to boost natural farming, Tikait said, “Some company or NGO will come, take the money, teach the farmers natural farming, and ask them to use cow dung manure. Farmers are already doing this.”
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the first Union Budget of the Modi 3.0 government and her seventh consecutive one during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. She outlined nine key priorities aimed at fostering economic growth and creating ample opportunities, including productivity and resilience in agriculture, employment and skilling, inclusive human resource development and social justice, manufacturing and services, urban development, energy security, infrastructure, innovation, research and development, and next-generation reforms.
The budget session of Parliament began on July 22 and will end on August 12.
Doubts Revealed
Rakesh Tikait -: Rakesh Tikait is a well-known farmer leader in India. He is part of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) and has been very active in advocating for farmers’ rights.
Union Budget 2024 -: The Union Budget is a financial plan presented by the government of India every year. It outlines how the government will spend money and collect taxes for the upcoming year.
GST -: GST stands for Goods and Services Tax. It is a tax that people pay when they buy goods and services in India.
Finance Minister -: The Finance Minister is a government official responsible for managing the country’s finances. In this case, Nirmala Sitharaman is the Finance Minister of India.
Nirmala Sitharaman -: Nirmala Sitharaman is an Indian politician who is currently serving as the Finance Minister of India. She is responsible for presenting the Union Budget.
