Union Budget 2024: The Congress on Wednesday levelled a serious charge against President Droupadi Murmu and the BJP-led Centre, accusing the former of following the government's diktat on what to say in her address to the nation. The Congress said that it expects ‘no relief’ from the Budget and that the President would say only what the government tells her to.
Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said, "The President says what the government asks her to. We do not have much expectations from the Budget. Since this is an interim budget, we cannot expect much relief for anyone. We have no expectation from the government."
The Budget Session of Parliament begins on Wednesday with an address by President Droupadi Murmu to a joint sitting.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram told ANI that growth must always be factored in with inflation. "Growth minus inflation is the real growth. This is not a budget. It is only a vote on account to allow the government to function until the new government is formed after the 18th Lok Sabha."
All eyes will be on the interim Budget to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1 as it would offer a glimpse into the BJP's agenda for the Lok Sabha polls expected in April-May.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Interim Budget on February 1 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections likely to be held in April-May. This Budget will mark the sixth Budget presented by Sitharaman in a row. The new government will present a full budget after it assumes office.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his pre-Budget statement advised all MPs to perform their best and urged the unruly members to introspect as he hailed India's development and said he believed the growth will continue.
The Finance Minister will also present the Budget for Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) even as President's Rule continues in the Union Territory. The Budget will comprise a total of eight sittings and is slated to conclude on February 9.