Agartala: Feb 11: The Left Front strongly opposed the central budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2025. In a press conference held at the CPI(M) state office, Narayan Kar, the convener of the Left Front state committee, raised serious concerns regarding the budget. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of dominating the government’s decisions while criticizing the Prime Minister’s foreign tour during the ongoing Parliament session.
The Left Front parties described the budget as “planless” and “careless,” with no clear strategy to address the country’s pressing issues. One of the key objections was the proposal to provide tax exemptions of up to Rs 12 lakh. The Left questioned where the government would source the funds for this exemption, suggesting that it could be drawn from vital social welfare schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). These funds, according to the Left, should instead be used to create employment, build infrastructure, and promote industrial growth in the country.
Furthermore, the Left Front highlighted a reduction in funding for critical schemes affecting farmers, including a Rs 3,000 crore cut from the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and a reduction in allocations for the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. They also accused the government of making false promises to farmers in Agartala city. Additionally, the budget reduced allocations for rural development, further exacerbating the plight of farmers and rural communities.
In response, the Left Front parties plan to present an alternative budget proposal that addresses the economic challenges faced by the nation. They aim to raise public awareness both inside and outside Parliament about the government’s failure to prioritize essential sectors such as agriculture, rural development, and employment creation.
