Hyderabad (Telangana): BRS Working President and MLA Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao expressed doubt and dissatisfaction regarding the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Rao alleged that Telangana has received no allocation in the Union Budget, questioning the silence of the state Chief Minister.
Taking to X, KT Rama Rao posted, "Not a word against BJP from Telangana CM!! Deafening silence. What are you scared of? Why this abject surrender on the interests of the state? From meekly signing and handing over projects to KRMB to staying absolutely silent on injustice meted out to state, truly appalling." The BRS leader attached a picture of a poster in his post stating, "Telangana gets Zero in Union Budget."
While Union Ministers praised the Union Budget as 'inclusive,' opposition leaders, including Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, criticized it as an 'election budget.' Sukhu described the interim budget as a financial web to trap people and expressed disappointment that it failed to meet the expectations of the countrymen.
"The interim budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman failed to mention the expansion of the rail network for the state. There is also no mention of any rapid mass transit system for hilly states like Himachal, where metro rail cannot be started," Sukhu remarked, lashing out at the Centre.
Highlighting the neglect of the green energy sector, Sukhu added, "Though green and solar energy have been mentioned in the budget speech, there is no clear roadmap as to how the green and solar energy initiatives will be achieved."
The government presented the interim budget for 2024-25 in Parliament on Thursday, focusing on economic policies fostering growth, inclusive development, improved productivity, and opportunities for various sections. The budget emphasized paying utmost attention to the eastern region, including states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal, to make them growth engines with a goal to develop India by 2047.
This marks the last budget of the PM Modi government in its second term, with Lok Sabha polls expected in April-May this year. Sitharaman, presenting her sixth budget in Lok Sabha, expressed confidence in the BJP-led NDA coming to power again.
—Input from Agencies