Breaking news:
PM Modi Emphasizes Harmony in Eid Greetings, Rahul Gandhi Calls for Peace | Four Chinese Men Detained After Fleeing Bangkok Collapse Site With Documents | PM Modi Makes First Visit to RSS Headquarters Since Taking Office | Trump Says He’s Seriously Considering a Third Term
Logo

Nirmala Sitharaman Rebuts Opposition's Claims of Bias in Union Budget

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended the Union Budget against opposition allegations of favoritism towards BJP allies, highlighting historical precedents and substantial state allocations 

30-07-2024
image
   

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticized the opposition for what she termed a "misleading campaign" regarding the Union Budget, countering allegations that it favored the BJP's allies, JD(U) in Bihar and TDP in Andhra Pradesh.

During a Budget discussion in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman emphasized that the absence of a state's name in the Budget did not equate to exclusion. She noted that Kerala, governed by the Left, received Rs 818 crore as viable gap funding.

Using data from budgets during the UPA era, Sitharaman highlighted that multiple states were often not mentioned by name. She cited examples from various years: 26 states in 2009-10, 17 states in 2004-05, 18 states in 2005-06, 16 states in 2007-08, and 20 states in the full Budget of 2009-10.

Sitharaman, presenting her seventh consecutive budget on July 23, allocated significant funds for state projects: Rs 15,000 crore for developing Andhra Pradesh's new capital, Amaravati, and Rs 26,000 crore for road connectivity projects in Bihar. The opposition claimed these allocations favored states where the BJP relied on allies JD(U) and TDP to maintain power at the Centre.

Addressing allocations for Jammu and Kashmir, Sitharaman mentioned a substantial financial support of Rs 17,000 crore in the Union Budget, which includes Rs 12,000 crore for the Jammu and Kashmir Police and an additional Rs 5,000 crore in central assistance. She emphasized that this support aimed to provide J&K with more flexibility for development expenditures.

Image

Sunita Williams Shares Stunning View of India from Space, Praises Its Space A

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams described the breathtaking sight of India from space and expressed ex

Read More
Image

Woman Rescued from Rubble Three Days After Myanmar Quake as Death Toll Approa

A woman was pulled alive from a collapsed hotel in Myanmar, offering hope as rescuers race to find s

Read More
Image

Myanmar Earthquake Toll Rises to 1,700 as Rescuers Scramble for Survivors

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake has left Myanmar devastated, with over 1,700 dead and thousands

Read More