New Delhi: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Friday accused the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government of ruining the economy of the country and termed the Interim Budget as an election gimmick to appease farmers and the middle-class.
While speaking on behalf of the party during the discussion on the Interim Budget for 2019-20 in the Lower House, BJD MP Tathagata Satpathy called the PM Kisan Yojana a joke and criticised the government of doing nothing for farmers.
“The farmer crisis is real. The paltry sum of Rs 6,000 will not even help the farmers fill diesel in their tractors. Do you think farmers are beggars seeking your alms? The farmers commit suicide when they have no other options left,” said Satpathy.
Criticising the rebate on taxation, Satpathy said, “You may think that you have managed to please the middle-class with tax rebates but people are aware that if anyone earns Rs 10 more than Rs 5 lakh, they would not be able to avail this benefit.”
The BJD MP also opined that the government lacks vision. “You have virtually scrapped the Five-Year Plan. The Twelfth Five-Year Plan, which was from 2012 to 2017, has died a natural death. No country can possibly grow if there is no mid-range and long-range planning for growth,” said Satpathy.
He also said that the BJP government has followed the modus operandi of the Congress party. “People rejected the Congress and voted for you. But your rule is no better than the Congress. I would like to challenge the government. What social or economic problems have you addressed? Apart from trying to help those crony capitalists who are your friends, what have you done for MSMEs and start-ups?” said Satpathy.
He added that the BJP government announced demonetisation to cripple political rivals.
