Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi has criticised Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for denying any rise in inflation and unemployment. She accused the minister of being out of touch with reality.
“I don’t know which planet she is living on. She says there is no inflation, no rise in unemployment, no increase in prices,” Priyanka told reporters after the Parliament session on Tuesday.
Her comments came after Sitharaman’s speech in the Rajya Sabha. The finance minister defended the Union Budget, saying it aims to make India a developed nation by 2047. She highlighted plans to boost agriculture, MSMEs, and rural development.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi left Parliament together after the session. Both Houses will reconvene on 13 February after a break for Guru Ravidas Jayanti.
Also read: Priyanka in Wayanad, slams BJP for undermining India's democracy
During her speech, Sitharaman stressed the budget’s focus on four groups — the poor, youth, farmers, and women. She claimed the government has introduced schemes to improve employment, investment, and domestic consumption.
She also spoke about tax reforms, arguing that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) had lowered indirect taxes. Before GST, she said, the average indirect tax rate was 15.8 per cent. Under the new system, it has dropped to 11.3 pc.
The Opposition has strongly criticised the government’s economic policies. Many argue that inflation and unemployment remain serious problems.
Trinamool Congress MP Nadimul Haque questioned Sitharaman on GST rates. She responded by saying the government had eased the tax burden on consumers.
Despite these claims, Priyanka Gandhi and other opposition leaders insist the government is ignoring economic distress. The debate over the budget is expected to continue in Parliament.
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