Before Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharama came out with a strong counter, the debate on the budget for 2020-21 on the second day in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday saw the Opposition hitting out at the Government for not taking adequate steps to revive economy and the ruling party MPs stressing that the fundamentals of the economy were strong.
Opposition members said the Budget has not lived up to expectations and fails to address challenge faced by the Indian economy. They also attacked the Union Government for the "step- motherly" treatment to States and privatisation of public sector units including Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
Expressing concern over the state of economy, Binoy Viswam(CPI) said it was already on "ventilator" and not in the "ICU" as mentioned by Chidambaram on Monday. He also termed the budget for 2020-21 as failed budget.
PL Punia (Congress) said the Government is not ready to accept the crisis in the economy and urged the Finance Minister to consult experts to address the problem.
He also charged the government of doing nothing for the welfare of scheduled castes and tribals, saying sub-plans be restored for SCs and Tribals.
K Keshava Rao(TRS) said the budget has set up an ambitious disinvestment target and would be difficult to achieve. He said the dual tax system proposed in the Budget would benefit chartered accountants. The TRS member also raised the issue of "step motherly" treatment being given to States in devolution of taxes.
Veer Singh(BSP) said the Centre has "ruined" the Indian economy and unemployment is at a 45 year-high.
He alleged the Centre is ending reservations for SC/STs and OBCs. Kumari Selja(Congress) focused on Haryana in her speech and said the state has not got its due in terms of allocation of funds.