By OUR STAFF REPORTER
DEHRADUN, 1 Feb: Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Chief Karan Mahara has slammed the Union Budget, calling it directionless, anti-development and inflationary. In a statement issued here on Saturday, after the presentation of Union Budget in the Parliament earlier in the day, Mahara claimed that the budget is against the interests of the common man. He also accused the government of ignoring Uttarakhand, claiming that the budget lacks special provisions for the state.
Mahara asserted that the budget reflects the government’s obstinacy, and is bound to increase unemployment and economic burden rather than fostering growth. He termed the budget to be Bihar-centric, claiming that big announcements have been made primarily for Bihar while other states remain neglected. The PCC chief also claimed that the budget manipulates figures to mask economic shortcomings and will further inflate prices, burdening the middle class and poor.
He criticised the budget for failing to spur employment growth, asserting that there are no provisions to push the growth rate to double digits. He added that the lack of relief for disaster-affected Uttarakhand, no measures to curb migration, and no improvements in education and health have left the people of the state disappointed.
Mahara also attacked the government for ignoring GST losses and failing to provide relief from rising costs. He claimed the budget offers nothing for the poor, unemployed, and small businesses, citing demonetisation and GST as the reasons for widespread job losses in agriculture, real estate, and small industries. He also criticised the government for not introducing any employment-generation schemes or relief measures for job losses.
He further accused the Modi government of favouring capitalists, stating that the budget lacks substantial provisions for women and that women’s empowerment remains limited to political rhetoric. Farmers, too, have been ignored, as there is no loan waiver or significant support despite rising suicides and declining incomes.
On Uttarakhand’s infrastructure, Mahara expressed disappointment over the absence of any new railway projects for the state, accusing the government of breaking its promises regarding the Char Dham rail link. He also criticised the neglect of environmental concerns and the denial of special status and green bonus for Uttarakhand, despite the state’s crucial role in environmental conservation.
Calling the budget as a puppet of big industrial houses, Mahara claimed it lacks new schemes for social welfare and focuses more on glorifying Prime Minister Narendra Modi rather than addressing the needs of the unemployed, poor, and women. He also dismissed Modi’s promise of creating two crore jobs annually as another flop election slogan.
