Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president K Therie on Saturday termed the Union Budget 2019-20, presented on Friday as an ‘extortion budget’.
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In a statement on Saturday, he said the budget is without head and tail and figureless.
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While the budget did not disclose allocations to important programmes such as MGNERGA, Midday Meal Scheme, health, Schedule Tribe and Schedule Caste, women welfare programmes, minorities etc, it raised taxes on custom duties and petrol and diesel thereby heavily burdening citizens from all economic backgrounds, Therie stated.
“The heat of the impact has already started today,” he said.
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The NPCC chief said talking of a $ 5 trillion economy by 2025 is another ‘Rs 15 lakh promise’.
He said expecting a $ 5 trillion economy from private investments without a roadmap to attract investment is blunt.
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“Who will invest in the present environment? Over 7,000 billionaires of Indian origin have fled India in 2017 alone. Few are under trial. Private sectors like Kingfisher and Jet-airways have closed down,” he said.
“Over three lakh small and medium industries have closed down. Unemployment is highest in 45 years. It is just another trick like the ‘Rs 15 lakh’ promise to every citizen’s account,” Therie added.
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He alleged they (BJP) tricked the poorest of the poor to open bank accounts and when the minimum balance could not be maintained, defaulters are penalized with more fines.
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The budget has nothing new except assurances to expand the current schemes, Therie said, adding tough times ahead are in store for states.