New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi, a Congress leader claimed that the Union Budget 2023–24, which was presented to Parliament on Wednesday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, lacked vision and had no intention of addressing significant issues. He called the budget "Mitr Kaal," a spin-off of "Amrit Kaal," and it was created to address minor issues.
Gandhi implied that the ruling administration favours business houses by saying that the budget was for "Mitr" (friends).
Taking to Twitter, the former Congress president said: " 'Mitr Kaal' Budget has: NO vision to create Jobs. NO plan to tackle Mehngai (inflation). NO intent to stem Inequality."
"One per cent richest own 40 per cent wealth, 50 per cent poorest pay 64 per cent of GST, 42 per cent of youth are unemployed - yet, PM doesn't Care! This Budget proves Govt has NO roadmap to build India's future," he added.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Union Budget as the "first Budget of 'Amrit Kaal" (the 25-year period from 2022 till 2047, when the country will celebrate 100 years of Independence), which would lay a strong foundation for a developed India.
"The first Budget of 'Amrit Kaal' will build a strong foundation for building a developed India. It gives priority to the deprived. This budget will fulfil the dreams of an aspirational society including poor people, middle-class people, and farmers. I congratulate Nirmala Sitharaman and her team for this historic Budget," he said in a televised address after the Union Budget was presented in Parliament.
Modi described the middle class as a big force and said that the government has made many decisions to empower them.
With inputs from IANS