'Dream Budget': Kiren Rijiju lauds Union Budget 2024 as Oppn calls it 'underwhelming'

Rijiju has lauded the Union Budget 2024, describing it as a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) by 2047.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday praised the Union Budget 2024, calling it a "dream budget", and highlighting its broad support for youth, women, and economic growth. His positive assessment, however, contrasts with the Opposition’s criticisms, which label the budget as underwhelming, politically motivated, and insufficient in addressing unemployment and farmers' issues, and allocation discrepancies.

Here are the diverse perspectives from the government and the Opposition leaders on the Union Budget 2024, showcasing the range of opinions on the Budget allocations and priorities.

Supportive voices:

Kiren Rijiju hails it as a "Dream Budget" for youth and women

Rijiju described the budget as a "dream budget" for all sections, especially youth and women. He highlighted the capital expenditure of more than Rs 11 lakh crore and emphasised the positive impact on Eastern India, including states like Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and the North-East. Rijiju praised the announcements for skilling, employment generation, and support schemes for women.

Highlights of Budget 2024-25

He said, "This is a dream budget for all sections especially for youth and women. Capital expenditure of more than Rs 11 lakh crore has been allocated. Announcements for Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and North-East will give a boost to the economy of Eastern India. Announcements for skilling and employment generation are historic. Support schemes for women are appreciated. Banking services in the northeast have been taken care of. Financial mainstreaming of the northeast will be done."

Rijiju has lauded the Union Budget 2024, describing it as a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) by 2047.

Rijiju also touched upon the issue of Bihar's floods, framing it as a national concern rather than just a state-specific problem. He emphasized that the budget’s measures are aimed at addressing such broader issues. "Bihar's floods are not limited to Bihar, they are an issue of the country," Rijiju said.

Additionally, Rijiju questioned the opposition’s reaction to the grants given to Andhra Pradesh, suggesting that these allocations are justified and beneficial. He remarked, "Why is the opposition rattled at the grants given to Andhra Pradesh."

Rajnath Singh hails record Rs 6.2 lakh crore alocation for Defence

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the budget for allocating a record Rs 6,21,940.85 Crore to the Ministry of Defence, representing 12.9% of the total budget. He highlighted a Rs 1,72,000 Crore capital outlay to enhance Armed Forces' capabilities and a Rs 6,500 crore increase for the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to boost border infrastructure.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan commends Budget as key to 'Viksit Bharat'

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has lauded the Union Budget for 2024-25, describing it as the cornerstone of India’s progress towards becoming a 'Viksit Bharat'—a splendid, glorious, and powerful nation. Chouhan praised the budget for its comprehensive focus on various segments of society, emphasizing its transformative potential.

“This budget is the budget of the foundation of 'Viksit Bharat' and formation of India which is splendid, glorious, rich and powerful,” Chouhan stated. He highlighted that the budget prioritizes the welfare of farmers, the poor, women, youth, and the middle class, asserting that it will bring significant improvements to their lives.

Chouhan further pointed out that the budget addresses all aspects from the farmer’s perspective, with a particular emphasis on reducing production costs.

Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu applauds Rs 15,000 cr package for Andhra Pradesh

Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu emphasized the budget's support for job creation, employment generation, the private sector, and FDI. He thanked PM Modi for the Rs 15,000 crore package and the commitment to completing the Polavaram project, crucial for Andhra Pradesh.

He said, "The Govt has done the work of giving strength to the common people of the country. Stress has been given to job creation, employment generation, the private sector, and FDI. I want to thank PM Modi who had promised to take care of Andhra Pradesh and in the budget he has done that. In the last 5 years, Andhra Pradesh became a no-capital state. The people and farmers of the state want to thank PM Modi for providing a package of Rs 15,000 crore and to complete the Polavaram project which is the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh."

Budget 'balanced' with focus on key social sectors, says Giriraj Singh

Union Minister Giriraj Singh termed the budget as "balanced," noting its emphasis on women, youth, farmers, and the poor. He expressed satisfaction with the allocations made to Bihar, calling it a "super-package."

He said, "This budget is a balanced one, having four pillars- women, youth, farmers, and poor. 'Bihar mei bahaar hai, NDA ki sarkaar hai'. Bihar has been given a super-package".

Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed his approval, noting the focus on various sectors such as agriculture, rural development, education, and healthcare. He pointed out the significant rise in the BSE Sensex and the record economic growth of 8.2 percent.

Critical responses:

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor slams Budget as underwhelming, lacking focus on key issues

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticised the budget as "underwhelming, lacking focus on key issues" faced by the common man. He pointed out the absence of significant mentions of MNREGA and measures to improve the income of the bottom 40 percent of the population.

Tharoor acknowledged only one positive aspect: the abolishment of tax on angel investors.

"It is an underwhelming budget. I didn't hear anything about the key issues facing the common man. There is no mention of MNREGA, and insufficient mention of steps taken to improve the income of a common person. We have seen far too little from govt on addressing income disparity. On job creation, a token gesture was made. I welcome only one provision which is abolishing of tax on angel investors. I had recommended it to Arun Jaitley more than 5 years ago," noted the Thiruvananthapuram MP.

Manish Tewari labels Budget as politically motivated

Congress MP Manish Tewari argued that the Budget has political compulsions, describing it with the proverb, "The tail wags the dog."

"There is an English proverb which says that the tail wags the dog, and that's the political message of this Budget. It has political compulsions written all over it," said Tewari.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore accuses Govt of copying Congress manifesto in Budget

Congress MP Manickam Tagore accused the government of copying the Congress manifesto, particularly regarding the Yuva Nidhi scheme. He criticised the lack of a special category for Andhra Pradesh, terming the budget a "lollipop" for the state.

Tagore stated, "This Budget has more or less copied the Congress manifesto. The important thing is about the Yuva Nidhi scheme. This government has announced it as Rs 5,000 per youngster who will be in the apprenticeship. It shows that this government has copied the ideas of Rahul Gandhi. The 'special category' for Andhra Pradesh has been denied. They are giving a lollipop to Andhra Pradesh".

Akhilesh Yadav criticises Budget for failing to address unemployment and farmers' issues

Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav underscored unresolved farmers' issues and youth unemployment, noting that special schemes for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh were positive but insufficient to counteract ten years of increased unemployment.

"Till the farmers' issues are resolved and employment is ensured for the youth, the people will not benefit. 'Sarkaar bachani hai toh acchi baat hai ki Bihar aur Andhra Pradesh ko vishesh yojnao se joda gaya hai'...They have increased unemployment in the last 10 years," said Yadav.

Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav also expressed concerns over women's safety, inflation, and decreasing purchasing power in rural areas.

Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav dismissed the budget as a mere show of numbers without ground-level implementation.

Also read: Keeping 'coalition dharma' in mind, FM announces special package for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh

Karti Chidambaram highlights political compromises and adoption of Congress schemes

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram highlighted the political necessity of addressing the demands of alliance partners from Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. He noted that the budget includes elements from the Congress manifesto, such as the apprentice scheme. He said, "I understand the political compulsions of catering to the demands of their alliance partners from Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. They have also taken some elements from our manifesto, especially the apprentice scheme. They also announce many new schemes."

Atishi denounces Budget: No funds for Delhi's tax share or MCD allocation

Delhi Minister Atishi criticized the budget for not allocating any funds to Delhi's demands, such as a five percent share of taxes for state development and a budgetary allocation for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). "The BJP-led central government did not give anything to the people of Delhi. We demanded for a five per cent share on the taxes paid to the centre for the development of the state but they did not give us anything. We also asked for a budgetary allocation to MCD but even that was not given," said Atishi.

CPI MP criticizes Budget as the worst under BJP-NDA Government

CPI MP P. Santhosh Kumar has harshly criticized the new budget, calling it the "worst" presented during the BJP-led NDA government's tenure. In his remarks, Kumar highlighted several issues with the budget, including setbacks to the Sensex and share market. He argued that the budget disproportionately benefits Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, calling it a "blow to the federal structure of the country."

Kumar emphasized that while his party does not oppose the development of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, the budget fails to address the diverse needs of India's many states and people. He urged the Union government to restructure the entire budget to ensure a more balanced distribution of resources across the country.

“This is the worst Budget presented during the years of BJP-led NDA government. Everything suffered a setback including Sensex and share market. Also, it is a blow to the federal structure of the country as two states are getting more benefits. We are not against Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, but India is a country of many states and different types of people are there. The Union government should restructure the entire Budget,” said Santhosh Kumar.

TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha questions allocation discrepancies for states

TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha questioned the budget’s allocation discrepancies, noting dissatisfaction with the attention given to states like Telangana, Punjab, and West Bengal.

He noted, "The relief that has been given on the medicines of cancer or other life-saving drugs is praiseworthy, it's a fact. What has been given to Bihar, as a resident it felt good, but you have to pay for it, but it was good. Bihar needed that, and it was in demand as well. You have given for Andhra Pradesh as well, which was expected, but what have you done for Telangana, Punjab, and West Bengal?"

Also read: Income tax slabs revised, standard deduction raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 under the new tax regime in Budget 2024
Members of Parliament from Punjab protested, alleging that the state was ignored in the allocation of funds in the Union Budget 2024.