Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday launched a strong attack on the Union Budget, alleging that it offers no real relief to the common people and fails to address their basic needs.
Speaking to the media after a cabinet meeting, Soren said the budget needs to be examined carefully to understand what benefits it actually provides.
Questioning the Centre’s claims, he asked whether any sector — be it agriculture or others — has genuinely gained from the budget. “There is nothing in the budget that gives relief to ordinary citizens,” he said, accusing the Union government of completely overlooking public concerns.
Reacting sharply to questions on rising prices, the Chief Minister said development cannot be measured only through minerals such as coal, iron and other natural resources.
“The real issue is whether essential daily-use items have become cheaper,” he said. According to Soren, the prices of basic commodities like pulses and rice have gone up, making it difficult to term the budget as pro-people.
The Chief Minister further remarked that a budget which fails to control inflation of essential goods cannot be called a development-oriented budget.
Soren’s comments are likely to intensify political debate over the Union Budget at both the state and national levels.
Also read: Jharkhand BJP alleges ₹10,000 crore missing from exchequer
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