|
Congress General secretary KC Venugopal on Sunday slammed the Union Budget, calling it a "listless, heartless budget from a clueless government" that fails to address the real challenges facing ordinary Indians and offers little for his home state, Kerala.
In a post shared on X, Venugopal said the government's approach continues a trend that began last session with the axing of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). "A listless, heartless budget from a clueless government. What began last session with the axing of MGNREGA has gone forward with massive welfare cuts in the name of "fiscal discipline," he wrote. The Congress leader highlighted rising unemployment, declining quality of life, and financial stress on the middle class as key areas where the budget falls short. "This government needs to open their eyes. People's quality of living is plummeting day by day. Unemployment is at an all time high, and quality of life has never fallen lower. The middle class is bleeding due to a turbulent market, and the welfare safety net is being destroyed brick by brick," Venugopal said. Venugopal also pointed to concerns about his home state, Kerala, saying it has been ignored in key developmental projects. "For my home state Kerala, it is yet another year of step-motherly treatment. The promised AIIMS found no mention, and no city of Kerala is included in the High-Speed Rail Corridor," he said. He further criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the budget primarily serves the interests of cronies rather than ordinary citizens. "All in all, this is a budget for nobody except the Prime Minister's cronies, with the ordinary Indian left to struggle under the weight of higher prices, falling jobs, crumbling infrastructure and a bleak future," Venugopal added. https://x.com/kcvenugopalmp/status/2017907797447548988 Earlier today, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27 in Lok Sabha, her ninth consecutive Union Budget. The Finance Ministry said in a statement that it is the first Budget prepared in Kartavya Bhawan and is inspired by three 'Kartavyas' (duties). As per the Ministry, first 'kartavya' is to accelerate and sustain economic growth, by enhancing productivity and competitiveness, and building resilience to volatile global dynamics, second kartavya is to fulfil aspirations of people and build their capacity, making them strong partners in India's path to prosperity while the hird kartavya, aligned with vision of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, is to ensure that every family, community, region and sector has access to resources, amenities and opportunities for meaningful participation. The non-debt receipts and the total expenditure are estimated as Rs 36.5 lakh crore and Rs 53.5 lakh crore, respectively. The Centre's net tax receipts are estimated at Rs 28.7 lakh crore. The gross market borrowings are estimated at Rs 17.2 lakh crore, and the net market borrowings from dated securities are estimated at Rs 11.7 lakh crore. The Revised Estimates of the non-debt receipts are Rs 34 lakh crore, of which the Centre's net tax receipts are Rs 26.7 lakh crore. (ANI)
|
