Union Budget 2016: Opposition slam Arun Jaitley; say nothing new, its old wine in new bottle

Opposition leaders like Shashi Tharoor, Mallikarjun Kharge and Lalu Prasad ask the Union Finance Minister why no mention about Defence!

Published: February 29, 2016 3:56 PM IST

By Saurav Mukherjee

Union Budget 2016: Opposition slam Arun Jaitley; say nothing new, its old wine in new bottle

New Delhi, Feb 29: Soon after Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented an elaborated Budget in the Lower House of the Parliament on Monday, the opposition leaders slammed the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government by saying that there is nothing new and concrete. Though the minister of the ruling government hailed the Union Ministry’ budget, there were some who expressed their concern as they had expected more.

Reacting on the Budget that was presented by Jaitley, senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor commented that that there is nothing interesting in this Budget. He said that there is nothing new and they (BJP government) have poured old wine in new bottle. He said, “Government has painted a very general picture and have adopted many old policies of UPA.” Another former Union Minister Manish Tiawri agreed with his colleagues and was of the opinion that it a piece of rhetoric which will shrink of economy. (ALSO READ: Budget 2016 Highlights on Income Tax Rates, Slabs, Changes: Income Tax Table for the financial year 2016-2017 announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley)

They also alleged that the current government had repeated some of the old schemes of UPA government. Shockingly, there was dissent in the BJP itself as its own leader Shatrughan Sinha was seen disappointed with Budget over no focus on education and defense. Though he said that its is a good, but did not want to comment more until he go through its fine print. Reacting on the Jaitley’s presentation, Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav said, “Prime Minister said he will double farmers’ income by 2022. BJP is trying to secure their berth till then, they will fall in 2019.” Echoing the same note, Communist Party of India National Secretary D Raja said that there is nothing spectacular in the budget. (ALSO READ: Live Union Budget 2016: Arun Jaitley announces additional Rs 30,000 health cover for senior citizens)

The voice of disagreement did not end here as Leader of Opposition of Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said that there is nothing in this Budget other than corporates close to the ruling party. Another leader from Congress Kamal said that the government neglected the aspect to create immediate stimulus of disposable income for people and they also ignored the aspect of generating employment. He said, “Unfortunately, what needed to be done has not been done.”

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