Budget disappointing, say parties in Lok Sabha

New Delhi: Political parties, including those supporting UPA, today slammed the government saying the Budget 2013-14 was a big disappointment for common man, who is already reeling under the impact of skyrocketing prices of essential items.

During the resumed debate in the Lok Sabha on the budget, the government was also accused of meting out step-motherly treatment to non-Congress-ruled states.

The discussion saw Opposition finding fault with the budget saying it give precious little to farmers.[caption id=“attachment_661203” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Parliament of India. Reuters[/caption]

Sumitra Mahajan (BJP) said there was nothing much in the budget and suggested that the assurance of setting up of a omen’s bank was more of a gimmick.

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She said RBI and Nabard have given detailed guidelines to banks on how to help women entrepreneurs but they are hardly being followed.

Contending that the budget is aimed at reaping electoral benefits, Dara Singh Chauhan (BSP) said it has dashed the hopes of common people and have left them disappointed.

Chauhan, whose party supports the UPA from outside, said the government is entangled in GDP numbers while on the ground farmers, poor people and the unemployed are suffering.

“These people do not understand GDP and the country cannot develop unless farmers, the poor and unemployed people are taken care of… Rich are getting richer and the poor poorer,” he rued.

Taking a dig at the government for irregularities in the loan waiver scheme for farmers, Chauhan said needy farmers were deprived in the scheme.

He also wondered why subsidies are being reduced while tax exemptions continue in many segments.

M Thambidurai (AIADMK) sought to dismiss government’s claim that it was a reformist budget.

Making a strong pitch for a special package for Tamil Nadu, he accused the Centre of “step-motherly” treatment of several states.

He said the current state of economy was due to “the faulty decisions of the Centre” and the government was indulging in jugglery of figures.

PTI