Terms Budget as anti-poor anti-farmer and non futuristic
Punjab Newsline, Shimla, July 23-
While reacting to the Union Budget 2024-25 presented by FM Nirmala Sitharaman today, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the Centre had again disappointed Himachal Pradesh by ignoring its long pending demands and the aspirations of the people of the state.
Terming the budget “inequitable”, he highlighted several key areas of concern and called for immediate revisions to address the needs of the wider population of the State.
The Chief Minister said that the Union Budget has once again failed to address the pressing issues that plague our country, particularly unemployment, poverty and rising prices. Though the increase in the allocation for interest free loan to states to Rs. 1.5 lakh crore from the existing allocation of Rs. 1.3 Lakh crore is a welcome measure however the tough conditions attached to it does not favour small States like Himachal Pradesh due to cost disabilities.
He said the state had repeatedly raised its demands for financial assistance for road, air and rail connectivity but it was unfortunate that none of them had been given any attention. The budget fails to address the issue of expansion of the rail network in the State.