edited by: Oindrila Mukherjee
Last Update: February 01, 2023, 16:54 IST
West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya criticized the Union Budget 2023 announced on Wednesday. (Image: @ Chandrima Bhattacharya/Twitter)
On the 66% increase in allocation on PMAY funds to Bengal, Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said there was a huge gap in what the Center allocates and finally disburses.
West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya criticized the Union Budget 2023-24 announced on Wednesday, saying it did not address the larger issue of inflation. Giving it a ‘Zero’ rating, he called the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Apart from being “anti-poor”, the new budget was also called “opportunistic and not futuristic”.
“It is not at all for the middle class; They have created confusion with two tax regimes and have not addressed the problem of inflation, which is the main one. How can they not mention the issue of inflation?” Bhattacharya told News18 In an exclusive interview.
Asked about the 66 per cent increase in allocation to Bengal under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Bhattacharya said there is a huge difference between what the central government allocates and what it distributes.
“We are sure that there is a huge difference between what they allocate and what they give. We are still waiting for funds from the previous allocation despite raising an issue with the Centre. They have not given the money distributed for ‘100 days’,” he said.
On distribution of projects to various states, Bhattacharya said the Center has given the package only to Karnataka and not to any other state. “Why is there no project for Bengal or other states? They always announce projects as per the election schedule.
He also criticized the funds allocated for the upliftment of backward classes, saying it was only Rs 15,000 crore in three years, which was Rs 5,000 crore per year.
He said, ‘This is absolutely anti-poor and opportunistic budget. Our Chief Minister has already said this,” Bhattacharya said.
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