Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled several measures on July 23 to address the challenges of unemployed youth, small businesses, and the middle class. These initiatives also aimed to bolster the ruling NDA coalition by supporting various investment projects in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. This budget marks Ms. Sitharaman’s seventh consecutive Budget and the first for the BJP-led NDA government since their re-election in June.
While BJP allies commended the Budget, the Opposition criticized it, labeling it a political maneuver to appease key allies, the Janata Dal (United) and Telugu Desam Party, without adequately addressing high unemployment and inflation. They also claimed that non-NDA-ruled states were neglected. MPs from the INDIA alliance planned to protest against the Budget today.
In today's Lok Sabha session, Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw, G. Kishan Reddy, Rao Inderjit Singh, Dr. Jitendra Singh, and Shripad Naik are scheduled to present documents. The house will also discuss the Union Budget and the Budget for the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir for 2024-2025.
Here are the latest live updates from the parliament :
► INDIA bloc will put pressure on the government to implement MSP, says Rahul Gandhi
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said that the INDIA bloc will put pressure on the government to implement a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price.
"In our manifesto, we have mentioned MSP with a legal guarantee. We have done the assessment and it can be implemented. We had a meeting right now where were decided that we will talk to the other leader of the INDIA alliance to put pressure on the Govt that MSP legal guarantee should be given to the farmers of the country," he said.
► 4 Chief Ministers to boycott NITI Aayog meeting over ‘discriminatory’ Budget
At least four chief ministers, including three from the Congress, are set to boycott the NITI Aayog meeting scheduled for July 27 in protest against the “discriminatory” Union Budget.
► Other states shouldn't be compromised: Akhilesh Yadav
Kannauj MP and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the INDIA bloc is not against any state getting packages for development, but other states shouldn't be compromised. "We were all asking for MSP for farmers, a package for farmers and the poor. But this government is giving packages to those who are helping to run the government," he said.
► Farm leaders not allowed to meet us inside Parliament: Rahul Gandhi
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that farm leaders were not allowed inside the Parliament. "We had invited them (farmer leaders) here to meet us. But they are not allowing them here (in Parliament). Because they are farmers, maybe this is the reason they are not allowing them in," he said.
► Nitish Kumar got 'jhunjhuna' in Budget by PM Modi: Misa Bharti (RJD MP)
RJD MP Misa Bharti said that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar got a "jhunjhuna" and "lollipop" in the Budget. "Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the JDU had a demand that Bihar should get the status of a special state. What did they get? He has just been given a 'jhunjhuna' and 'lollipop' by the Prime Minister so that he will continue to be the Prime Minister. "
► This is a 'Kursi Bachao' Budget: Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in Rajya Sabha that the Budget was a 'Kursi Bachao' Budget. "I have not seen a Budget like this. It was done just to make someone happy," he said, adding that the INDIA bloc parties condemn the Budget.
#WATCH | Opposition MPs walk out from the Rajya Sabha. pic.twitter.com/4pHVNWTXKA— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2024
► Opposition MPs walk out of Rajya Sabha
Opposition MPs walked out of Rajya Sabha during Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's speech.
► Question Hour begins in both Houses
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that one cannot name all the states in "a single Budget". She further said that the funds go to every state irrespective of their mention in the Budget speech.
► INDIA MPs Shout against the Union Budget
INDIA MPs protested against what they called a biased Union Budget, outside the Parliament entrance on Wednesday. Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, described the Budget as deceptive and unjust. When asked if the opposition would join the Budget discussion, Mr. Kharge said, “Let’s see.” Members from Trinamool Congress, DMK, Left parties, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP) also participated in the protest.
Inputs by Agencies
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