Fri Feb 07 16:50:10 UTC 2025: ## Opposition Slams Union Budget as “Pro-Rich,” Demands Relief for Common People

**New Delhi, February 7, 2025** – The Union Budget presented by the Modi government faced sharp criticism from opposition parties in the Lok Sabha today, who denounced it as being heavily skewed towards the wealthy while neglecting the needs of farmers, the youth, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The debate was marked by protests over the absence of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the initial discussions. Congress members raised concerns about this deviation from parliamentary convention, a point later addressed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who assured future ministerial presence during budget debates.

Opposition MPs leveled a series of accusations against the budget. Congress MP Dharamvira Gandhi criticized the lack of attention given to farmers’ issues and the stagnation in spending on health and education. He also described the budget as “unitary,” alleging that states were excluded from the budget-making process.

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee accused the government of favoring the wealthy at the expense of the poor, citing the waiver of corporate loans while farmers struggle with debt. Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi highlighted the budget’s failure to address inflation and unemployment, urging increased disposable income for citizens and expanded food security measures. Similar concerns were voiced by CPI(ML) Liberation MP Sudama Prasad and Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai, who called for a debt waiver for farmers.

While BJP MP Rao Rajendra Singh claimed significant tax benefits for individual and corporate taxpayers, the opposition’s consensus remained firmly against the budget, demanding greater focus on social welfare programs and economic relief for the common people. Support for the budget was voiced by only a few MPs from the Janata Dal (United) and Rashtriya Lok Dal. The debate promises to continue in the coming days.

Read More

Fri Feb 07 16:50:10 UTC 2025: ## Opposition Slams “Pro-Rich” Union Budget in Heated Lok Sabha Debate

**New Delhi, February 7, 2025** – The Union Budget presented by the Modi government sparked a heated debate in the Lok Sabha today, with opposition parties vehemently criticizing it as being heavily biased towards the wealthy. Members from the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, and CPI(ML) Liberation described the budget as neglecting the needs of farmers, the poor, and the youth, while favoring corporations.

The debate began with Congress members protesting the absence of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the initial discussions. Speaker Om Birla intervened, assuring the protesting MPs that future budget debates would ensure the Finance Minister’s presence.

Opposition members highlighted several perceived shortcomings. Congress MP Dharamvira Gandhi criticized the budget’s failure to address farmers’ concerns and its stagnant expenditure on health and education. He also labelled it “unitary,” arguing that states lacked sufficient participation in the budget-making process.

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee accused the government of favoring the wealthy elite at the expense of the poor, citing the waiver of corporate loans while farmers struggle with debt. He characterized the budget as “economic favouritism at its worst.”

Other opposition members echoed similar concerns, pointing to the lack of attention paid to inflation, unemployment, and farmer indebtedness. They demanded increased allocations to social welfare programs like the Public Distribution System and called for tax reductions on essential goods.

In contrast, BJP MP Rao Rajendra Singh argued that individual taxpayers had received significant benefits over the past five years, while acknowledging benefits for corporate taxpayers as well. A few MPs from the Janata Dal (United) and Rashtriya Lok Dal voiced support for the budget, claiming it benefited all sections of society. The debate continues.

Read More