INDIA bloc parties, led by the Congress, staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (July 24) in protest against all states except two being “ignored” in the Budget, an allegation termed “outrageous” by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who said all the states never found a mention in any of the previous Budgets, including those presented by the Congress.The Opposition MPs staged a protest in Parliament premises over the alleged discrimination against Opposition-ruled states. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi were among those who participated in the protest. Besides Kharge, Sonia and Rahul, several MPs of the Congress, TMC, Samajwadi Party, DMK and the Left joined the protest held on the steps leading up to the Makar Dwar of Parliament. Protesting against the Budget, Kharge said, "This Budget is anti-people, no one has got justice. They have talked about special package but special status has not been given. This is a deceptive Budget and injustice to the people."The MPs raised placards such as 'We want India budget not NDA budget' and 'NDA betrays India in Budget'. The decision to protest was taken at a meeting of floor leaders of INDIA bloc parties at the Congress president's residence on Tuesday evening. Congress chief ministers will also boycott the NITI Aayog meeting scheduled for July 27 in protest against the alleged discrimination.Former finance minister P Chidambaram, initiating discussion on the Budget in the Rajya Sabha, cautioned the government against taking inflation lightly. “Is inflation such a trivial subject (that) you can deal with it casually and dismiss it in 10 words?” he asked. The senior Congress leader also attacked the government for destroying federalism by picking and choosing among states for grant of relief.During the day, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw cleared the air on the Budget allocation to his department, saying safety is of top priority and Rs 1112.57 cr has been allocated for Kavach. (With agency inputs)Follow live updates of reactions on the Budget and also about the proceedings in the Parliament today.
INDIA bloc parties, led by the Congress, staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (July 24) in protest against all states except two being “ignored” in the Budget, an allegation termed “outrageous” by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who said all the states never found a mention in any of the previous Budgets, including those presented by the Congress.The Opposition MPs staged a protest in Parliament premises over the alleged discrimination against Opposition-ruled states. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi were among those who participated in the protest. Besides Kharge, Sonia and Rahul, several MPs of the Congress, TMC, Samajwadi Party, DMK and the Left joined the protest held on the steps leading up to the Makar Dwar of Parliament. Protesting against the Budget, Kharge said, "This Budget is anti-people, no one has got justice. They have talked about special package but special status has not been given. This is a deceptive Budget and injustice to the people."The MPs raised placards such as 'We want India budget not NDA budget' and 'NDA betrays India in Budget'. The decision to protest was taken at a meeting of floor leaders of INDIA bloc parties at the Congress president's residence on Tuesday evening. Congress chief ministers will also boycott the NITI Aayog meeting scheduled for July 27 in protest against the alleged discrimination.Former finance minister P Chidambaram, initiating discussion on the Budget in the Rajya Sabha, cautioned the government against taking inflation lightly. “Is inflation such a trivial subject (that) you can deal with it casually and dismiss it in 10 words?” he asked. The senior Congress leader also attacked the government for destroying federalism by picking and choosing among states for grant of relief.During the day, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw cleared the air on the Budget allocation to his department, saying safety is of top priority and Rs 1112.57 cr has been allocated for Kavach. (With agency inputs)Follow live updates of reactions on the Budget and also about the proceedings in the Parliament today.