Post-Budget LIVE: FM dismissed inflation ‘in 10 words’: Chidambaram in RS
INDIA bloc parties walk out of Rajya Sabha in protest against all states except two being “ignored” in the Budget; Sitharaman terms allegation “outrageous”
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.
Live Updates
- 24 July 2024 6:32 AM GMT
FM slams TMC
FM Sitharaman slams the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for claiming West Bengal hasn't been given anything in the Union Budget. The finance minister said Bengal government hasn't even utilised and implemented schemes given by the Prime Minister to the state in the past 10 years and now "has the audacity to complain".
- 24 July 2024 6:31 AM GMT
Kharge takes a swipe at FM Sitharaman in Rajya Sabha
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Wednesday (July 24) condemned the "discriminatory attitude" of the Centre in the Union Budget.Kharge says the thaali of all states is khaali and only two states have been given pakoras and jalebis.As Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman stood up to respond to Kharge, RS Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar requested the LoP to yield the floor. Kharge took a swipe at Sitharaman saying, "Mata ji bolne mei maahir hain" (she is an expert in speaking). Dhankhar responds saying "she is like your daughter".As Sitharaman got up again to respond, Opposition staged a walk out. Chairman Dhankhar condemns Kharge and the Opposition for their attitude. Sitharaman says the Opposition should have stayed in the House in the spirit of Parliamentary democracy to listen to her response to what he had said.Sitharaman said the Congress should know that in a budget speech, the finance minister doesn't always get a chance to name every state. Sitharaman says she has not ignored any state and that just because the speech doesn't mention the states it doesn't mean that states will not benefit from the schemes of the Centre.Sitharaman asserted there is a deliberate attempt by the Opposition led by the Congress to give an impression to the people that nothing has been given to other states except two; it is an outrageous allegation.
