Budget 2024: 'This year's budget echoes the need for a change in leadership'

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman presented the interim Budget 2024 on Thursday in Lok Sabha. Pic/PTI

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the 10th budget of Narendra Modi government. This interim budget implies that a new government may take office in April, May, or preferably June 2024, with the budget presentation expected in July. So, what has been presented now is not set in stone but rather a mirage.

As simple middle-class people, our understanding of the budget is limited to whether inflation has increased or not. Unfortunately, inflation appears to be on the rise, impacting the lives of common people. In this year's interim budget, there is no visible sign that concrete steps have been taken to address this issue.

Sweet words masking a chaotic reality

During the budget presentation, Nirmala Sitharaman's language was optimistic, portraying a humanitarian and inclusive approach to development. Sitharaman conveyed a sense of reassurance, painting a picture of a nation where nobody needed to worry about anything. She said, "Our approach to development reflects a humanitarian and inclusive stance, distinct from the past emphasis on 'provisioning to the village level.'"

She continued: "Over the last decade, development initiatives have been directed at every household and individual, encompassing 'homes for all,' 'har ghar jal,' electricity, cooking gas, bank accounts, and financial services for all. The distribution of free rations has alleviated food insecurity for 80 crore people. Regular adjustments to minimum base prices for food suppliers have contributed to increased real incomes in rural areas, addressing economic needs and fostering growth and job creation."

However, a critical analysis reveals that these assertions may be more theoretical than practical. Questions arise regarding the actual impact of schemes like Ujwala Yojana on women. Has the cost of cooking gas decreased as promised? Are essential commodities like wheat, rice, dal, edible oil, and milk maintaining stable prices? The goal of freeing the nation's poor from hunger merits scrutiny to ascertain its real-world manifestation.

Budget presentations are often met with predictable responses, where leaders from different political parties either praise or criticize the government based on their affiliations. This year's budget was no exception, with government supporters lauding it as the foundation for a developed India, while the opposition adhered to their customary critique.

Uddhav Thackeray, the Chief of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), took a sarcastic but bold stance in his reaction. He remarked, "Today marks the last budget presented by the Modi government. We extend our congratulations to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for expressing her commitment to the welfare of the poor, women, youth, and farmers. It appears that after 10 years, they have found that there is a nation beyond your Prime Minister's circle. While speaking about women, Sitharaman ji, why not visit Manipur? Engage with Bilqis Banu. Declare solidarity. Suddenly, they are talking about farmers, considering them part of the conversation. All these seem like magical experiments. 'Artha Sankalpa' is akin to wearing a cap. Promises of free cylinders for women have surfaced. They claim to generate employment for the youth. The question remains - what have they achieved in the past decade?"

Uddhav Thackeray's reaction resonates with the sentiments of the common people, who are also questioning the government's track record over the last ten years. The demand for accountability echoes in the collective inquiry: If promises are made for the welfare of women, the poor, farmers, and youth, what has the Narendra Modi government done in the previous decade?

Have women really been empowered?

Nirmala Sitharaman, a woman herself, asserted during the budget presentation, "Over the past ten years, there has been a significant push towards the empowerment of women through initiatives promoting entrepreneurship, ease of living, and fostering respect for them. 30 crore Mudra Yojana loans have been disbursed to women entrepreneurs. The enrollment of women in higher education has seen a remarkable twenty-eight percent increase, and in STEM courses, the enrollment of girls and women has reached forty-three percent, a global high. These efforts are contributing to a growing presence of women in the workforce. Legislative measures such as the abolition of 'triple talaq,' the reservation of one-third seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies and granting over seventy percent of houses in rural areas as sole or joint ownership to women under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana have further fueled their empowerment."

However, there must be thorough research to ascertain whether the portrayed picture aligns with reality. Skepticism arises, reminiscent of Prime Minister Modi's online interaction with a woman regarding her farm income. The subsequent revelation exposed discrepancies, revealing a glossy picture concealing a different truth.

The past decade under Modi's leadership is an alluring facade, with underlying complexities. The sale of numerous PSUs, the dominance of Adani and Ambani in the country's affairs, and the concentration of projects and contracts in Gujarat and Adani's are evidence.

The concern is that if the people don't wake up to these realities and continue to be swayed by Modi's illusory promises, the country's future may be jeopardized.

BJP should recall the slogan that it raised ten years ago: "Mehngai jo rok na saki woh sarkar nikkami hai, jo sarkar nikkami hai wo sarkar badlani hai" (The government that cannot curb inflation is ineffective, and if the government is ineffective, it must be changed).

The interim budget echoes the need for a change in leadership.

'Harshal Pradhan is the spokesperson for Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray's Party.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the individual and don't represent those of the paper.