Mail News Service
Ranchi, Feb 5: A cabinet meeting chaired by Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was held in state capital today during which as many as 27 proposals were approved. Following the meeting, the Chief Minister addressed the media along with members of his cabinet and launched a sharp attack on the Central Government and the Union Budget.
Questioning the intent and impact of the Union Budget, CM Soren said it needs to be examined seriously to understand what relief, if any, it offers to the common people. He asked pointedly whether the budget had provided any tangible benefits to farmers or to sectors directly linked to everyday life.
Accusing the Centre of ignoring basic necessities, the Chief Minister said the budget had overlooked the essential needs of ordinary citizens. “Tell us what in this budget has actually made life easier for the common man,” he remarked.
Raising concerns over rising prices, CM Soren reacted strongly to questions about coal, minerals and iron, stating that while discussions focus on industrial resources, even daily essentials like pulses and rice have become expensive. “If dal and rice are no longer affordable, can this really be called development?” he asked.
Commenting on the situation in Assam, the Chief Minister referred to the condition of tea garden workers, alleging that they continue to live under conditions resembling modern-day slavery. Without naming anyone directly, he targeted both the Centre and the Assam government, saying Assam feels like “a country within a country,” where the shadow of colonial rule is still visible. “Even today, people there seem trapped in a life of servitude,” he said.
CM Soren’s remarks reflect growing discontent over the Union Budget, particularly regarding inflation, social justice, and the absence of meaningful relief for the country’s poorest and most vulnerable sections.
