Budget a lollipop for youth and farmers: Dr. Ajoy Kumar

Jamshedpur, July 23: Former MP and senior Congress leader Dr. Ajay Kumar criticized the Union Budget 2024-‘25, stating that the Modi government had deceived millions of youth and farmers. He described the budget as a ‘lollipop’ handed to the youth and farmers, implying that it offered superficial satisfaction without addressing real issues.

Dr. Kumar pointed out that while the Congress had promised a guaranteed first job to youth in its manifesto, the Modi government had copied this promise in the budget without providing clear provisions on how it would be implemented. He expressed skepticism about the actual benefits of the budget for farmers, suggesting that companies teaching organic farming might profit, but the farmers themselves would not see any real gains.

He emphasized the need for the government to ensure fair crop prices, provide free electricity, affordable fertilizers, and reduce GST on farming equipment—none of which were addressed in the budget. Dr. Kumar also noted the absence of any mention of MNREGA, which created millions of jobs in rural areas annually, and criticized the lack of focus on health and education. (w/gsd)

Bablu Jha criticizes budget as ‘Save the Government – Increase Inflation’

Jamshedpur, July 23: Bablu Jha, District Vice President of the East Singhbhum District Congress Committee, condemned the latest budget as a ‘Save the Government – Increase Inflation’ budget. He criticized the budget for lacking revolutionary schemes for Dalits and tribals and for failing to double the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers.

Jha also pointed out that the budget did not address the need for the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for employees and criticized the Agniveer scheme for keeping the youth stuck in limbo. He expressed concern that women would continue to suffer due to rising inflation and labeled the budget as one that disappointed every section of society.

In his statement, Jha emphasized that if there was no work, there would be no votes, and suggested that the middle class should turn to television debates for insight, implying dissatisfaction with the budget’s impact.