Ruling party terms it growth-oriented; Opposition flays it as poll-centric

MIXED RESPONSE TO BUDGET

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Budget 2019-2020 has drawn mixed responses from the legislators. While the ruling party and its allies have lauded the Budget as “growth-oriented”, the Opposition has criticized it as “election-oriented”.

Talking to media after presenting the Budget on the floors of the House on Wednesday, Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that it has been prepared “based on the experiences of the past two years and is future-oriented.” Terming the schemes mentioned in the Budget as “firm approaches for the overall development of the State”, Sarma pointed out, “we’re trying to touch all sections of the society.” He added, “The revenue expenditure has touched the mark of Rs 79,000 crore while the capital expenditure is approximately Rs 21,000 crore. The investment earmarked is the highest till date.”

Referring to some of the new schemes announced in the budget, Sarma said, “The people will get rice at the rate of Re 1 per kg. I am happy to announce that we shall give ‘one tola gold’ to brides belonging to all such communities (whose families’ annual income is less Rs 5 lakh) of our State where it is customary to provide gold at the time of wedding.”

“The Opposition will criticize; but the same MLAs will ultimately move for the schemes,” Sarma concluded.

Atul Bora, AGP president, termed the budget “election oriented”. Stating that “there is nothing of overall development,” Bora added, “Burning issues like floods and erosion have been untouched. Nothing has been stated about the erosion-Affected families. The Budget does not have anything for the unemployed youths.”

Former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said, “The Budget is not feasible. It’s a jhumla budget!” Many things have been promised but I doubt how many of those schemes would be practically possible. Many such assurances were given in the last budget as well; but we’ve not seen their reflections at the ground level.” Gogoi further criticized, “The Budget is silent on the vital issue of foreigners. Besides, why doesn’t the Government give rice at the rate of Re 1 to all?”

BJP president and Sarbhog MLA Ranjit Kumar Dass said, “This Budget is meant for the indigenous people of the State. Care has been taken to include all sections of the populace including the youth, women, aged and also the widows. It’s for the tea tribes as well. All in all, it’s a growth-oriented Budget.

AIUDF legislator Hafiz Basir Ahmed Kasimi reacted: This is simply a poll-oriented Budget. People’s concerns have assumed secondary position in it while keeping in view the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, a number of sops have been announced. Most of the schemes would remain on papers as they are unrealistic like the ones presented in the earlier year’s Budget.

Also read: Assam budget 2019: The key highlights