Chennai: Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, on Monday, condemned the Union Budget 2021-2022 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the Parliament. In a statement, it calls out the budget as 'anti-people' which "seeks to destroy the strong institutional structure of India by selling it to corporates". VCK said that the landless agricultural workers from Dalit and most backward communities have benefitted nothing from the budget. Likewise, there are no beneficial welfare schemes for migrant workers who were gravely affected by the pandemic. "The budget made no change in tax concessions for salaried workers", it said.
"The Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess introduced in the budget may increase the burden of taxation to an unbearable extend. This affects the lives of common people by increasing prices on cooking oil and utensils. The budget forces people to an extreme burden of taxation. Increasing price on essential commodities cause hardship to poor people", the statement reads.
VCK chief, Thol Thirumavalavan criticized the centre's decision to privatize the electricity distribution and said it is the first step to terminate free electricity scheme to farmers. "The Foreign Direct Investment of 74% would be permitted to all insurance companies. It is a process towards selling off the government's stake like LIC in the last Budget".
Thirumavalavan also remarked that the BJP government has abandoned the Special Component Plan for SC/STs. The government has also cut down the budgetary allocations for SC/STs. Earlier in November, VCK had asked the centre to not drop post metric scholarship scheme for Scheduled Caste students. In the budget, it has been announced that the scheme will continue to be implemented for the next five years. "The declaration that all matters related to higher education will be considered by Union Government is a challenge to National Educational Policy".
VCK clarified its stand by stressing the budget will lead the Indian economy to financial crisis.