West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee terms Budget 2023 'anti-poor' and 'opportunistic'

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said the budget is not futuristic and is “anti-poor”. She claimed the budget will only benefit a section of the society and “there is no provision for the unemployed people of the country in this year's budget.”

“This budget is not futuristic but opportunistic and it is an anti-poor budget. This budget is full of darkness,” Banerjee commented while speaking at an administrative meeting in Birbhum district.

People are saying that it is a good budget but in the name of the populist budget, only a section of people will benefit, Banerjee said, adding, "There are 3.7 crore unemployed and there is no proposal for them in the budget."


She stressed that the budget allocation in MNREGA scheme has been reduced compared to previous years, claiming that all the non-BJP states in the country are victims of the Centre’s step-motherly attitude.

She slammed the Centre for its decision to disinvestment the public sector companies. “Amid skyrocketing inflation, what is the benefit of exempting income tax?” Banerjee questioned.

“The Centre is boasting about Ujjwala Scheme numbers but beneficiaries are not able to get the gas cylinders. There is no clarity on the price of LPG which is at an all-time high, Banerjee said.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP & Trinamool national spokesperson Sukhendu Sekhar Ray said, “I am concerned about the economy of the country. Rs 45.03 trillion is the budgeted expenditure for 2023-24. Out of this, Rs.32.35 trillion will be directed towards non-development expenditure. This leaves only Rs.12.68 trillion for developmental expenditure. Out of this amount, the Budget documents claims that a sum of Rs.10 trillion is to be utilised for capital expenditure. That would leave a sum of Rs.2.68 trillion for developmental expenditure.”

“Does a country whose nominal GDP has been projected at Rs.302 trillion deserve to spend only Rs.2.68 trillion for developmental expenditure? Will it not impede potential growth? Will this not induce inflation? These are my concerns…India must go all out to boost her revenue optimally by treating taxpayers with respect…,” Ray said.