Maintaining that the Union Budget 2016-17 would lead to a shrinking of the Indian economy, Pradesh Congress Committee president Prasad Harichandan charged that the NDA Government has made clever strategies to benefit companies by championing the cause of farmers.
“The Union Budget 2016-17 is a disappointing one. During his last Budget speech, Jaitley had said the GDP would be between 8.1 per cent and 8.5 per cent this year. But it has come down to 7.6 per cent now,” said Harichandan.
He said in the 2014-15 Budget presented by the UPA Government, an allocation of Rs 3,38,408 crore was made for development of States and Union Territories , but the current Budget has a provision of Rs 2,41,900 crore.
He said the Modi Government’s claim for giving 55% of Central assistance to States and UTs is not understandable.
“Modi during his farmers’ rally at Bargarh recently had stated that the second Green Revolution is possible from Odisha. The Centre has allocated a huge allocation for irrigation, but there are no specific provisions for this in the Budget,” said Harichandan, adding that the people of the State been betrayed.
He also criticised the NDA Government for not sanctioning funds for the IAP, BRGF and KBK schemes.