The Congress party has strongly criticized the Union Budget 2025 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, accusing it of being politically motivated and lacking a clear direction.
Congress MP Kiran Kumar Chamala alleged that the budget was crafted with electoral interests in mind, highlighting the special focus on Bihar while states like Telangana received less attention.
Chamala remarked, "I think again it has got some political thing there; we can really see there is a political agenda in today's total budget speech."
Echoing similar sentiments, Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi labeled the budget "directionless," claiming that it offered nothing substantial for any sector.
He went on to accuse the BJP of privatizing assets, stating, "They are selling everything to their own 'East India Company.'"
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also criticized the budget, suggesting that the BJP’s celebration was primarily due to the middle-class tax cuts but failed to address the issue of unemployment.
"For you to benefit from income tax relief, you actually need jobs. Unemployment was not mentioned by the Finance Minister," he said. Tharoor also pointed out the BJP’s strategy of using multiple state elections as opportunities to offer targeted freebies.
DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran described the budget as "confusing," arguing that it was designed to appeal to voters ahead of the Delhi elections.
He pointed out inconsistencies in the Finance Minister’s announcements, stating that while Sitharaman initially declared no taxes for income up to ₹12 lakh, she later introduced a 10% tax slab for earnings between ₹8 lakh and ₹12 lakh.
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister announced several initiatives aimed at Bihar, including the establishment of a Makhana Board to support production, processing, and marketing of foxnuts.
"The board will provide handholding and training support to Makhana farmers and ensure they receive the benefits of all relevant government schemes," she stated.
Further, she revealed plans for new Greenfield airports in Bihar, alongside the expansion of Patna Airport and the development of a Brownfield airport in Bihta. Sitharaman emphasized, "These projects will meet the future needs of the state."
She also announced financial support for the Western Kosi Canal ERM project, benefiting farmers cultivating over 50,000 hectares in Bihar’s Mithilanchal region.
Additionally, the government will establish the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management in Bihar to boost food processing activities across the Eastern region.