New Delhi/Kolkata, Feb 28 (IANS) West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress Saturday slammed the union budget, saying it was "not for the people". The party also termed as "bluff" the special financial assistance to the state announced in the budget.
"This budget is not for the people, not for the poor and not for the middle class. Lots of talk on giving more to the states, but this is untrue. Last year, gross output to states was 61.88 percent, this year it is 62," Trinamool's Rajya Sabha chief whip Derek O'Brien said.
"There is a saying in Bengali: 'Machher tele Machh Bhaja' (Frying fish in fish oil). Only hollow talk on federalism. There is a lot of big talk on infrastructure and social development. Big promises... where are the action plan?" asked O'Brien.
The party said the increase in service tax will hurt the middle class and lead to price rise of essential commodities.
Dubbing the budget as "anti-people", state Finance Minister Amit Mitra called the financial assistance to the state as announced by his union counterpart as "a bluff".
"There is a talk of a package in the lines of Andhra Pradesh, but we do not know the amount of package or any details.
"The package to Andhra was Rs.850 crore. But the centre deducted Rs.28,000 crore from us towards servicing of debts. So this is a bluff," said Mitra.
Mitra also said if Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to meet, the Trinamool Congress would raise the issue of debt-structuring.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sought an appointment with Modi to discuss the issue of moratorium of the debt which her government has been seeking since coming to power in 2011.
"The total grant to the state in 2014 was Rs.4,05,582 crore and in this year, it is Rs.3,28,277 crore which is a reduction of 20 percent. The allocations for ICDS has been deducted by 50 percent, National Livelihood Mission decreased by 12 percent. Allocation for Sarva Siksha Abhiyan has been slashed by 22.14 percent," said Mitra.
"The truth is, if all the grants all calculated together, in 2014, 61.88 percent was given, in 2015 the share is 62 percent," he said.
Bihar's daughter Jyoti starts practice to join the trial of Cycling Federation
Darbhanga: Jyoti Kumari of Darbhanga, who arrived at Darbhanga from Gurugram in Haryana by sitting her father on a bicycle amid lockdown, is a topic of discussion all over Bihar at this time. Apart
Four big questions in front of Team India: Who will be the captain if Rohit Sharma is not fit, Will Mayank open with Gill or KS Bharat
After a clean sweep in the T20 series against Ireland, Team India is now in front of England's Test. No player of the Indian team who played in Ireland is part of the Test team. In this match, India
Amaal Malik plays another 'game' with Tanya Mittal, a new twist on the sweater in 'Bigg Boss 19'
Every day, the reality show Bigg Boss 19 sees a new drama unfold. Sometimes it's a fight over household chores, sometimes it's a debate about relationship complexities, but this time things are a
This time there will be a fierce attack on terror in Kashmir, check posts built everywhere; CRPF on round the clock alert
During terrorist attacks targeting civilians in Jammu and Kashmir, for the safety of civilians, now CRPF has been engaged in duty round the clock and seven days, showing more promptness than before.
Secret Invasion Review: New enemy from 'Marvel's past, Nick Fury sets out to fight a dangerous war without Avengers
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a world of its own, ranging from superheroes to creatures and civilizations living on various fictional planets in space. The activities happening there affect the
CBI probe ordered into IAS officer's death
Bengaluru, March 23 (IANS) The Karnataka government on Monday ordered a CBI inquiry into the death of IAS officer D.K. Ravi here a week ago, which triggered public outrage after police termed it
Mahashivratri 2024: Why is Belpatra offered to Lord Shiva? Know the rules of offering on Shivlinga
Today Mahashivratri is being celebrated with great pomp and show across the country. The holy festival of Mahashivratri is dedicated to the worship of Lord Bholenath, the giver of ultimate success.
Putin trembled as soon as the bridge was broken: for 8 years the occupation of Crimea was the life-line; The main supply route of the Russian army is also
On October 8, 2022, an explosion occurs on the Kerch Bridge connecting Russia with Crimea. A part of the bridge collapses in the blast. How important it is militarily, can be understood from Russia's
UN on Bharat Row: '...then we will consider the application', UN gave an important statement on India vs. India dispute
These days there is a controversy going on in India regarding changing the name of the country. Political parties are divided into two parts in this dispute, for and against. The controversy further
Drug trafficking increased as soon as the Taliban arrived: Heroin worth 21 thousand crores from Iran was caught in Gujarat, was sent in the name of talcum powder
After the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, a big case of conspiracy to make India a place of the drug trade has come to the fore. The directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 3000 kg heroin
