New Delhi, Feb 11 (UNI) Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday slammed the Union Budget 2025-26 in the Lok Sabha calling it a plan designed to serve the interests of big industrialists and fails to address the problems faced by the common people.
Participating in the discussion, Yadav stated that the budget was crafted with a focus on 2025-26. He further remarked that it primarily serves the interests of big businessmen and industrialists.
Yadav said there is no clear focus on development in this budget. Although the government aims to make the country a developed nation by 2047, it fails to take any concrete steps toward realizing that goal. A successful budget should not be designed to benefit only a select few, instead, it should encompass the welfare of everyone.
The SP MP stated that the budget lacks a clear roadmap for doubling farmers’ income. Despite numerous farmers losing their lives in the struggle, there is still no guarantee of a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for them.
He said that the government makes claims about implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, but it fails to put them into action. This budget provides no provisions for fruits and vegetables, research in the agricultural sector. The government has heavily promoted the crop insurance scheme, but when it comes to settling claims, farmers receive little to no support.
While the government writes off loans for large industrialists, farmers are denied the same benefit. He further emphasised that essential goods for farmers should be exempted from GST.
Yadav stated that people are facing difficulties at the Mahakumbh, with everyone stuck in traffic while the entire administration is struggling to manage the congestion. The government talks about reaching the moon, but what is the use if it fails to address issues on the ground? While there is much discussion about a “Digital Kumbh,” the actual number of casualties from the stampede remains undisclosed.
Raising concern about digital arrest, Yadav said that incidents of digital arrests are continuously rising, yet the government remains focused solely on promoting Digital India.
The SP leader stated that the government has made no provisions for MSMEs in the budget, despite the sector providing employment to 11 crore people. This sector generates the highest employment in the country, yet no provisions have been made for these workers in the budget.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Hema Malini praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts in women’s empowerment and highlighted that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting her eighth budget. The Finance Minister emphasized the need to increase women’s participation in the country’s economic development.
Highlighting the importance of broadband connectivity in all government schools, she praised the government’s efforts in the healthcare sector.
Hema Malini said that the government has declared the biggest income tax cut to date, significantly benefiting the middle class.
She expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the successful organization of the Mahakumbh.
