DIMAPUR, JULY 6 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today termed the Government of India’s 2019-20 Union Budget as an “extortion budget.”
A press note from the NPCC President, K Therie stated that the budget which was tabled by the Union Finance Minister in Parliament on Friday “is without head and tail.”
“It is a figureless budget. P. Chidambaram, MP and former Finance Minster tweeted ‘budget 2019-20 is an insipid budget.’ He also asked Journalists waiting for his reaction: ‘Had there ever been a budget speech that does not disclose the total revenue, total expenditure, fiscal deficit, revenue deficit, additional revenue mobilisation or financial concessions?’” the NPCC President noted.
Therie said that the budget also did not disclose allocations to important programs such as MGNERGA, Midday Meal Scheme, Health, Schedule Tribe and Schedule Caste, Women Welfare Programs, Minorities etc.
“It raises taxes on custom duties and petrol and diesel thereby heavily burdening citizens from all economic backgrounds. As transport charges hike, prices of all essential commodities will hike. The heat of the impact has already started today,” he added.
Therie meanwhile stated that the talk of a $5 trillion economy by 2025 is another “Rs.15 lakh promise.” “Expecting a $5trillion economy from private investments without a roadmap to attract investment is blunt. Who will invest in the present environment?” he questioned.
“Over 7,000 billionaires of Indian origin have fled India in 2017 alone. Few are under trial. Private sectors like Kingfisher and Jet-airways have closed down. Over 3 lakh small and medium industries have closed down. Unemployment is highest in 45 years. It is just another trick like the ‘Rs.15 Lakh’ promise to every citizen’s account. They tricked the poorest of the poor to open bank accounts and when the minimum balance could not be maintained, defaulters are penalized with more fines,” the Congress leader said.
The NPCC President further stated that the budget has “nothing new except assurances to expand the current schemes.”
Predicting that “tough times ahead are in store for States,” Therie said that the Central share of taxes for States appears to have been reduced to 23% if the figure projected by The Times of India is correct. “The 14th Finance Commission has increased States’ share in the Union Taxes revenue by 10% thereby giving a record 42%. However, the state appears to be in deep financial crisis while the people do not see funds percolate down to the Districts,” he added.
Therie further wondered “how our legislators have passed 2019-20 Budget.” “For the first time in the history of Statehood, the budget was reduced to Rs. 18,301 crores from Rs. Rs. 18,303. Normally there is step up of 15-25% and therefore, the budget was expected to be between Rs. 21,048 to 22,000 crores in view of increase in payment of salaries, increments, pensions, allowances, price escalation as per market and additional plan activities. Even if the state’s plan activities are put to hold increment, allowances and price escalation cannot be avoided,” he said.
“As an ordinary citizen, I can visualise the impact on general life is going to be tough,” he stated, while added that “the ruling will not allow drops to percolate down,” and “there is no one to throw the first stone or point a finger.”
Maintaining that Nagaland citizens are “self dependent” and “serious in inherent agriculture activities,” the NPCC President noted that “we have few or no landless fellow citizens.”
“By God’s grace, we get two square meals daily; therefore, we are not serious about state budget. A large number of people still think the state budget or state exchequer belongs to the Government and not to the public. Cuts or percentage deductions in project costs are considered normal. Whoever can cut more are appreciated as capable leaders. The masses are yet to understand the State Exchequer consists of public tax,” he stated.
The masses, the NPCC President said, “do not know we are paying tax on every item we buy from the market. The masses are yet to understand Government is by the people, for the people, of the people.”
