CPI dubs union budget corporate-friendly
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 02 2023:
CPI Manipur State Council has termed the budget-2023 tabled by union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the parliament on Wednesday as corporate friendly, which suppresses the working class and poor people.
Addressing a press meet at Irawat Bhawan here on Thursday, CPI Manipur State Council assistant secretary M Joykumar said that the union budget has no provision for resolving unemployment problem, which is one of the most crucial issues in the country.
It will not bring much relief to the poor people while it has many provisions in favour of corporates and upper tiers of the society.
It will only increase the problems in the rural areas as it clearly shows an attempt to hide the true situation and challenges being faced by the country's economy and to show an unrealistic economy.
Budget shares for education, health, MGNREGA, food security are relatively low and there is no provision for ensuring livelihood for youth, he added.
Chipping in, assistant secretary N Singhajit said that the budget share for agriculture has been reduced by Rs 8500 crore and it shows the government's lack of commitment towards welfare and livelihood of farmers.
Allocation for food subsidy has been reduced from Rs 2.8 crore to Rs 1.9 crore.
Similarly, budget shares for ICDS, MGNREGA have also been cut, which makes the budget anti-people, anti-development and unrealistic budget.
Former state secretary L Sotinkumar said that the budget lacks clarity on fund specific for northeast region, tribal fund, and it shows the Hindunisation agenda of BJP and RSS.
The Central government is reducing the budget allocation in several key Sectors in order to cut expenditure.
It even reduced the fund for PM Kisan, food subsidy, petroleum subsidy, health sector as well.
With significant reduction in grant to states, small and low revenue states like Manipur will face additional fiscal burden, he said and declared that CPI strongly opposes the budget.