New Delhi, Feb11 (UNI) CPI(M) lawmaker Elamaram Kareem on Thursday said that the Union Budget was like ‘sales advertisement' and the slogan ‘Make in India’ was replaced by 'Sell India'.
Speaking on the discussion on the Union Budget 2021-22, in the Rajya Sabha, he said this was disappointing and did not address the needs of the people. There was no vision and it has only increased the burden on the economy that was already on a downward trend even before the coronavirus pandemic.
“The Budget is filled with proposals to privatize. It has not heeded to the advice of renowned economists that government should out the money in the hands of the people to increase demand. No plans for those who have lost their jobs in the pandemic, he said, adding that this financial proposal panders to Indian and foreign corporate”, he quipped.
Mr Kareem also said that the Government expenditure was less than last year and the allocations for key sectors, including education and agriculture, have been cut. Projects which were already underway in Kerala has been added in this budget, he added.
Earlier, resuming debate on the Union Budget in the Upper House, Samajwadi Party Member Vishambhar Prasad Nishad said that there has been no Budget allocation towards infrastructure for Uttar Pradesh where the roads are dilapidated and need replacement.
He asked for the 'illegal' cases against the farmers to be retracted. He also said that illegal sand mining has been going on in U.P.
“This Budget is hollow - no money with them to give to central government employees. Demonetisation and GST has broken the back of economy, he said, adding that employment has decreased.
Noting that the budget is an account of lies, he said the three farm laws was a ploy to make the country a slave of the corporates, the farmers have not been getting proper MSP on crops, especially on wheat and corn. Mr Nishad said that even anganwadi workers are suffering.
He said that the disinvestment has led to job losses and even ‘Sainik schools’ will be privatised. “Banks are privatised and private banks are being promoted. This budget increases the gap between the poor and rich, he said and asked for an apportion budget for cancer treatment, free treatment for poor people.
While supporting the Union Budget, the JDU Member Ram Chandra Prasad Singh said that this reinforces the idea of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. Nobody has died of hunger during corona times.
A labour working under MGNREGA for 100 days gets Rs 24,000, how much does Kapil Sibal charge to appear for few minutes in court? What kind of equality is this? he wondered.
“ Why wasn't a central University opened in Leh when Mr Sibal was the Education Minister?, he questioned the Congress Member who spoke on Budget on Wednesday in the House.
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha said, "You claim that you are open to criticism but have earplugs on. The Budget, he claimed, is directed towards a few special people, not the common man. He pointed to the Articles 38 and 39 of Constitution, and asked what the Budget will do for the people of India? Let it be an aam (common man's) Budget, not a khaas (special) budget”.
"Don't manufacture the numbers - acknowledge the worrisome numbers," he further said.
He also said that he wished that Bihar elections were also held in April or May this year, at least we would have to get infrastructure projects while commenting on the infrastructure projects announced in the budget for election-bound of states- Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Assam.
'What kind of country are you building, where assets are concentrated with select few'? he asked and said "The inequitable distribution of assets will only amplify your problems’, and criticised government for reduction in government expenditure on education. He pointed out to the digital divide and says it's not possible to provide quality education without addressing the issue.
He also asked for increase in wages and number of days of employment which was intricately linked to hunger.
UNI AKS SB 1437