NEW DELHI: As the opposition launched a frontal attack on the government in the Lok Sabha on Thursday for failing to address the issues of poverty and unemployment in the recently-tabled Union Budget, the treasury benches came in with full support and praise for the Prime Minister and the finance minister for placing a “well-balanced” Budget that has something for all strata of people.
While BSP called the Budget “Mungeri Lal ke haseen sapne (far-fetched dream)”, BJD accused the Centre of not expanding the coverage of the national food security scheme despite a directive from the Supreme Court.
Calling the Budget anti-poor, Saugata Roy of Trinamool Congress pointed out the slashing of allotment for MGNREGS and the reduction in food and fertiliser subsidies. DMK’s A Raja said, “My disappointments (with the Budget) are on four counts. First is education; second is health; third is food and fouth agriculture.”
Defending the Budget, Sudhir Gupta of BJP said it was “all-inclusive” with several steps for poverty alleviation. “The provision of free food for 80 crore poor is the right step for giving relief to marginal sections of the society,” he said. Jagdambika Pal (BJP) said India today is among the top five economies of the world because of the decisive steps taken by the government and becoming ‘atma nirbhar’.
Pointing out rising unemployment among youths, Congress member GS Aujla said the treasury benches should take criticism of the PM in the right spirit. “You have to listen to the criticism… You are the PM of the country, nobody can abuse you in this country,” he said.
While BSP called the Budget “Mungeri Lal ke haseen sapne (far-fetched dream)”, BJD accused the Centre of not expanding the coverage of the national food security scheme despite a directive from the Supreme Court.
Calling the Budget anti-poor, Saugata Roy of Trinamool Congress pointed out the slashing of allotment for MGNREGS and the reduction in food and fertiliser subsidies. DMK’s A Raja said, “My disappointments (with the Budget) are on four counts. First is education; second is health; third is food and fouth agriculture.”
Defending the Budget, Sudhir Gupta of BJP said it was “all-inclusive” with several steps for poverty alleviation. “The provision of free food for 80 crore poor is the right step for giving relief to marginal sections of the society,” he said. Jagdambika Pal (BJP) said India today is among the top five economies of the world because of the decisive steps taken by the government and becoming ‘atma nirbhar’.
Pointing out rising unemployment among youths, Congress member GS Aujla said the treasury benches should take criticism of the PM in the right spirit. “You have to listen to the criticism… You are the PM of the country, nobody can abuse you in this country,” he said.