New Delhi: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, saying that the budget is a way to retain power as it mentioned a special project for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.
Speaking to the media, the Samajwadi Party chief said, "The Union budget is a way to retain power as it mentioned a special project for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh (Sarkaar bachani hai toh acchi baat hai ki Bihar aur Andhra Pradesh ko vishesh yojnao se joda gaya hai'). They have increased unemployment in the last 10 years."
Launching a scathing attack on BJP leaders, Yadav said, "The projects in Uttar Pradesh that BJP leaders said were completed are incomplete. What have they done for farmers and youth?"
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav hit out at the Modi government for not taking any steps to control inflation.
"This government brings in schemes but does not pursue them... The main concern regarding women is their safety and this issue has not been addressed... The government does not want to take any steps to control inflation. Purchasing power in rural areas is constantly reducing," Dimple Yadav said after the budget announcement.
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury also criticised the Budget saying it had failed to address issues like rising unemployment.
"The issues like increasing unemployment, inflation and food prices were not addressed properly as they should have been. The government expenditure as per GDP has decreased. The economy will contract so the problem of the people will increase... Subsidies have been decreased... The economic activity has to be increased to increase the employment generation... The incentives to the employers will not increase the employment generation opportunities," Yechury said.
The Finance Minister announced new airports and medical colleges in Bihar. Further, temple corridors, including the implementation of the Kashi Model in Bodh Gaya and special funds for the Rajgir Jain Temple site, were highlighted.
Andhra Pradesh was also a focus in the Union Budget, with Sitharaman announcing special financial support to address the state's need for capital. She emphasized efforts to fulfil commitments under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, declaring an allocation of Rs 15,000 crore for the current fiscal year, with additional amounts to follow in future years.
These announcements come as part of the first Union Budget of the Modi 3.0 government and Sitharaman's seventh consecutive budget presentation. The budget session of Parliament commenced on July 22 and will conclude on August 12.
