NEW DELHI, Feb 1: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has strongly criticized the Union Budget 2025, calling it an attempt by the Modi government to “dupe” the people of India while the country continues to struggle with issues of inflation and unemployment. In a post on X, Kharge described the Budget with the Hindi proverb “Nau sau choohe khake billi hajj ko chali,” implying that the government is seeking praise despite its past failures.
Kharge pointed out that, in the last 10 years, the government collected Rs 54.18 lakh crore in income tax from the middle class, only to offer exemptions now for those earning up to Rs 12 lakh. He added that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s claim that people would save Rs 80,000 annually translates to just Rs 6,666 per month, an insignificant relief amidst rising inflation.
The Congress leader also took issue with several other aspects of the budget, including the rebranding of “Make in India” to “National Manufacturing Mission,” which he claimed was an attempt to cover up the scheme’s shortcomings. Kharge criticized the lack of measures for youth empowerment, women’s advancement, farmers’ income, and education for marginalized groups. He argued that the budget failed to address the real concerns of the people, including the falling consumption levels, stagnant MGNREGA funding, and no new initiatives for job creation.
Kharge also dismissed government initiatives like Startup India, Standup India, and Skill India as mere announcements without substantial impact. He concluded by stating that the 2025 Budget represents a missed opportunity to alleviate the struggles of the common people and is, instead, a move to mislead them.
