From Kharge to Mufti: Here’s how Opposition reacted to Union Budget 2023

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the final full-fledged budget of the second term of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and made several key announcements.

The major highlights of the Budget 2023 were increasing income tax rebate limit to Rs 7 lakh, revised tax slabs for new regime, MSME credit guarantee, among others.

The opposition parties however expressed their dissatisfaction with the Budget and slammed the Central Government, saying it was prepared eyeing the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Budget 2023 was prepared keeping an eye on the 2024 Assembly Elections, adding that it has nothing for the poor people of the country.

“The budget was presented by the Modi govt keeping in view the upcoming Assembly polls in 3-4 states. There's nothing in the budget for poor people & to control inflation. No steps for jobs, to fill govt vacancies & MNREGA,” Kharge said.

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said that the Budget 2023 doesn’t reflect the real sentiments of the people such as unemployment and price rise. He said that the Union Budget is filled with fancy announcements whose implementation is under question.

“This budget isn't addressing real sentiment of country that's unemployment & price rise. It only had fancy announcements that were made earlier too but what about implementation? Only insurance companies were benefited from PM Kisan Yojana not farmers,” said KC Venugopal.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said that the Central Government has not benefited the countrymen through the Budget 2023. She said that people should be benefitted from taxes but its ‘breaking their backs’.

“This Budget is the same that had been coming in for last 8-9 yrs. Taxes increased, money not being spent on welfare schemes & subsidies. Tax being collected for some crony capitalists & big businessmen. Public should benefit from taxes but it's breaking their back,” said Mufti.

“Instead of benefitting them (common people), welfare schemes and subsidies are being scrapped. People who had risen above the poverty level have fallen below the poverty level again: Mufti added.

BRS leader Kavitha Kalvakuntla stated that the Budget 2023 confirms the failure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. Reacting to the income tax rebate of Rs 7 lakh in the new tax regime, she said that its of no use for the people of Telangana.

“This budget mathematical confirmation of failure of Modi govt. This seems like a budget for few states. We hoped tax rebate of up to Rs 10 Lakhs. In Telangana, we pay good salaries to people so this rebate is of no use to us,” said Kalvakuntla.

She further said that the Central Government only announces development projects in either poll-bound states or BJP-governed states.

“Centre announces development projects in either poll-bound states or BJP-governed states. They announced Rs 10,000 crore for infrastructure, which infrastructure? They are not clear. They owe us Rs 1000 cr & I request Finance Min to pay our dues,” Kalvakuntla added.

Yesterday, after the President Draupadi Murmu’s address to the joint-sitting of the Parliament, the Union Finance Minister had tabled the Economic Survey for the Financial Year 2022-23.

According to the survey, India’s economic recovery from the pandemic is complete and the economy is expected to grow in the range of 6% to 6.8% in the coming financial year 2023-24.