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Farmers, a section of which has been protesting at the Shambhu border since February, have expressed deep disappointment over the Central Government's budget proposals, which they claim have once again failed to address their critical concerns. The much-anticipated budget has been criticized by the farmers for its lack of provisions for a Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantee law and for neglecting vital aspects of agricultural support.
 
Voicing a strong disapproval of the budget, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher labeled it as “pessimistic” while accusing the Modi Government of disregarding the farming community for the seventh consecutive year. Pandher’s criticism highlights the absence of any measures for MSP guarantees and debt relief for farmers — the key demands that have been central to the ongoing protests.
 
In a sharp rebuke, Pandher pointed out that out of the Rs 48 lakh crore budget, a mere Rs 1.52 lakh crore — less than three percent — is allocated to the farmers. “This is a stark reminder of the government's continued neglect of the agricultural sector, despite the fact that farmers and labourers constitute nearly 70 percent of the population,” he argued.
 
The budget’s provisions for natural farming incentives, seed development, and rural growth have been dismissed by Pandher as “unrealistic and insufficient”. He asserted that the budget fails to offer any tangible solutions for improving the farming sector or addressing the pressing issues faced by farmers.
 
Pandher further criticized the budget for lacking vision and direction, particularly in terms of youth employment. He dismissed the promises of government jobs and corporate sector opportunities as mere illusions, arguing that they do not address the core issues affecting farmers and rural communities.