Synopsis
Sachin Pilot, Congress National General Secretary, has criticized the Union Budget as politically motivated and neglectful of farmers and rural development. He highlighted unfulfilled promises regarding farmers' income and essential projects for Rajasthan, suggesting a lack of commitment from the government.Key Takeaways
- Union Budget criticized for political bias.
- Failure to fulfill promises to farmers.
- Neglect of crucial projects in Rajasthan.
- Insufficient allocation for rural employment schemes.
- Concerns over rising national debt.
Jaipur, Feb 1 (NationPress) Congress National General Secretary, Sachin Pilot, has strongly denounced the Union Budget unveiled in Parliament on Saturday, deeming it “politically motivated” and “narrow-minded”, displaying a clear “disregard” for the agricultural community.
Pilot highlighted that the Finance Minister has overlooked the advancement of previously made promises, such as doubled income for farmers, controlling inflation, and creating jobs.
He pointed out that the government's reliance on allies for its stability is evident in the budget, presenting it as more of a “political instrument” rather than a genuine economic strategy.
By underscoring the neglect of farmers, he noted that the persistent call for a legal assurance on Minimum Support Price (MSP) has been entirely disregarded.
Simply increasing the credit cap on Kisan Credit Cards, he contended, does not offer substantial relief, as it merely provides temporary loans.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the unchanged budget allocation of ₹86,000 crore for MNREGA, which he believes is vital for enhancing the rural economy.
Pilot also called attention to the budget’s neglect of Rajasthan, noting the lack of any commitment towards the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) and the Yamuna Water Scheme.
He labeled this exclusion as a betrayal of the state's citizens and observed that no new railway initiatives were introduced, nor was there any advancement on previously sanctioned projects, illustrating the Union government's apathy towards Rajasthan.
Furthermore, he criticized the state government for failing to secure new central initiatives for Rajasthan.
Additionally, he accused the Union government of deteriorating the economy by imposing debt on the nation.
He remarked that while Rs 12.76 lakh crore is allocated for interest payments in the upcoming year, capital expenditure is only Rs 11.24 lakh crore, which underscores the government's fiscal mismanagement.
