The Rajya Sabha today resumed discussion on the Union Budget 2024-25 and the Budget of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir 2024-25. Participating in the discussion, Praful Patel of NCP said, the government has adopted a fiscal discipline approach and maintained the financial health of the country since 2014. He said the creation of jobs for the youths is the biggest focus area in this year’s budget. He commended the government for giving weightage to the infrastructure sector in this year’s budget. He said an extensive network of roads, airports, sea ports, and renewable energy have been created in the country in the last ten years. He said, manufacturing activities in the country witnessed tremendous growth in the last couple of years. Echoing the same view, BJP MP Bhubaneswar Kalita said, this year’s budget is focused on the poor, farmers, youth, women, middle class and infrastructure development. He lauded the government for taking steps for poverty alleviation saying that 25 crore people have come out from the poverty line. He said the government is providing free foodgrains to 80 crore people.
Intervening in the discussion, Union Minister and BJP President J P Nadda asserted that the Union Budget is for inclusive growth and economic and social development of the country. Mr Nadda added that infrastructure development is the focus of the Budget along with job creation. He said Budget intends to make a leakage-proof system and ensure last-mile delivery. The Minister said eradicating poverty, empowering the poor, supporting farmers with logistics, and strengthening villages have received special focus in this Budget. He also listed out several government initiatives including Jan Dhan Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for the betterment of the poor and marginalised sections of the society. Mr Nadda said 95 per cent of villages in the country have been connected with roads through Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. He highlighted that India has become the third largest automobile manufacturer and the NPA has reduced significantly under the current government. In his speech, Mr Nadda hit out at Congress over the issue of OBC welfare questioning how many OBC members are in the Congress Working Committee. He also attacked Congress for criticising the government on the Agniveer Scheme and asserted that the scheme is intended to strengthen the Indian Armed Forces. He accused the main opposition party of playing politics over it. The Minister alleged that it was Congress which delayed the implementation of One Rank One Pension for decades.
Participating in the discussion Dr V Sivadasan of CPI (M) alleged that this budget is against the federal spirit of the country. He also accused the government of not increasing the allocations towards child welfare.
Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena said she does not support the budget as it has nothing concrete for Maharashtra.
Dr Sikander Kumar of BJP hailed the Union Budget saying that it has provisions of various schemes for the welfare of every section of the society. He added that it will generate employment and help the economy to grow.
Sandeep Kumar Pathak of AAP alleged that the budget has nothing concrete for the people.
Rwngwra Narzary of UPP(L) supported the Union Budget and said that is the lifeline of the country’s development. He added that this budget focuses on four castes namely the poor, farmers women and youth.
Besides, Ghanshyam Tiwari, Mahendra Bhatt, Birj Lal and Neeraj Shekhar of BJP, Haris Beeran of IUML, Jose K Mani of KC(M), K Vanlalvela of MNF, Kartikeya Sharma of IND and Mahua Maji of JMM were among those participating in the discussion. However, the discussion remained inconclusive. Later the House was adjourned for the day.
