• By Vivek Raj
  • Tue, 23 Jul 2024 01:53 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday presented the Union Budget 2024 in Parliament. The budget outlines nine key priorities: productivity, job creation, social justice, urban development, energy security, infrastructure, and reforms. The budget proposes changes to the new tax regime, including raising the standard tax deduction from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000.

The budget provides a major boost to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, ruled by BJP’s key allies JDU and TDP, whose support is critical to maintaining the majority in Parliament. Bihar will receive Rs 26,000 crore for road projects, while Andhra Pradesh will get Rs 15,000 crore for the development of Amaravati, its capital city.

Union Budget 2024: Opposition Reaction

Soon after the budget presentation, opposition leaders started to criticise the budget. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee described the budget as a "kursi bachao" budget, implying it is designed to protect political interests rather than address pressing issues.

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Echoing similar voice, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav targeted BJP and said, "Sarkaar bachani hai toh acchi baat hai ki Bihar aur Andhra Pradesh ko vishesh yojnao se joda gaya hai'.

Punjab MPs started protesting outside of the Parliament, alleging that the budget has overlooked their state in its allocations.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor highlighted the absence of MNREGA provisions and measures to support the bottom 40 per cent of the population whose income has declined. He criticised the budget for failing to address national inequality.

UP Congress President Ajay Rai accused the government of presenting a misleading budget that lacks substance and fails to address key issues.

Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav criticised the government, stating, "The government introduces schemes but fails to implement them effectively. The budget does not address critical issues such as women's safety. Additionally, there is no effort to control inflation.”

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Congress leader P. Chidambaram while taking a jibe praised the Finance Minister for including ideas from the Congress Lok Sabha Manifesto in the Union Budget 2024, such as employment-linked incentives and an apprenticeship scheme. 

"I am glad to know that the Finance Minister has read the Congress Lok Sabha Manifesto after the election results," he said. 

Independent MP Pappu Yadav raised concerns about the lack of a special status for Bihar and questioned the government's commitment to job creation and migration issues of the previous ten years.