NEW DELHI: The Congress-led Opposition in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday criticised the NDA Government’s maiden Budget for its alleged lack of vision, while demanding more allocation for the social sector.
Initiating the debate on the Union Budget in the Upper House, Congress member Anand Sharma asked the Centre to exercise caution before taking decisions, particularly on FDI in the defence sector.
Referring to FDI in Insurance, Sharma said Narendra Modi-led Government was singing the same tune of the erstwhile UPA administration.
Maintaining that sharing of the river waters has become an important issue in several regions, Sharma said that an allocation of `100 crore for carrying out the interlinking of the rivers is ridiculous.
The Congress leader also took strong exception to meagre allocations to the social sector, particularly for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and modernisation of Madrasas in the country.
Referring to the GST, Sharma reminded that the state governments, particularly the BJP-ruled states had opposed it when the UPA Government proposed it. Sharma said, “Now you have realised that our thinking had been in national interest.”
Maintaining that there was no policy paralysis during the UPA tenure, Sharma criticised the government for failing to acknowledge the contribution of the previous dispensation for passing on a healthy economy. He said, “Please do give us credit where we deserve.”
Referring to the minimum government and maximum governance espoused by Modi, Sharma cautioned against the fallout of centralised power.
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (TMC) criticised Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for announcing 25 schemes, which had an allocation of `100 crore each and another 40 with allocation of `50 crore each.
He wanted the government to ensure that the states did not have to seek the Centre’s help and said that there must be a dispute redressal mechanism.
Pavan Kumar Varma (JD U) said that the Budget lacked vision and there was institutional neglect of the states. He took strong exception to reduced allocation to the social sector, particularly health and education.
Is Modi God to Give Darshan: Kharge
New Delhi: Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he should show his face in Parliament at least once in a week. “Is Prime Minister a God that he should give us darshan once in a while,” Kharge asked after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the PM had given his darshan in the House. The war of words took place after Kharge had on Tuesday said the PM should be present in the house. Modi was present in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Fresh bid to extradite davy: Govt
New Delhi: The NDA Government is all set to renew efforts to bring Purulia arms drop case prime accused Kim Davy to justice after the CBI submitted a fresh extradition proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, MoS External Affairs Gen (retd) V K Singh said: “On April 22, 2014, the then Home Minister approved sending a fresh request to the government of Denmark to extradite Kim Davy. Subsequently, the DIG and head of Branch, CBI, Kolkata has submitted a fresh extradition proposal to the MHA on June 24, 2014.”
No proposal on six-day week
■ There was no proposal to change the present five-day week for the employees of the Central Government ministries and departments, the LS was informed
■ Union MoS for Personnel Jitendra Singh said the Centre had no such proposal to change the five days per week working for central government servants