'Nirmam' budget lacks provisions to double income of farmers, create job opportunities: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday termed the Union Budget "nirmam" (ruthless), claiming that it lacks provisions to double the income of farmers, create employment opportunities and control inflation. He also wondered about the budgetary allocation for the Indian Railways (Rs 2.4 lakh crore) and asked whether the Centre was planning to sell the national transporter after revamping it like the airports.

"It (Budget) can be called 'nirmam' budget of Nirmala ji. It neither has anything for youths, nor for women. It has no provision to double the income of farmers and for the welfare of Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste communities. This budget is drafted only eyeing elections.." said the Congress leader.

Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be held in 2024.


"There is one shocking thing in the budget and it is the budgetary allocation of Rs 2.35 lakh crore to railways. Is it for employees or new recruitment or for revamping it before selling?" he said.

Before selling airports, Baghel said, the facilities were revamped and renovated, spending hundreds of crores of rupees. "Are they thinking to do the same with railways that revamp it and then sell it to private hands?" he asked.

The CM also dubbed the Union Budget as disappointing for Chhattisgarh saying that the state was expecting to get new trains from Ambikapur and Jagdalpur but no provision has been made in this connection.

The budget does not even deal with how people will get employment and inflation will be controlled, he said.

Millet has been described as "Shri Anna" but the government of India has not announced a minimum support price for it, he added.