Union Budget is just a political gimmick, an empty drum : Vijay Inder Singla

5 Dariya News

Chandigarh 01-Feb-2020

Punjab Education and PWD Minister Vijay Inder Singla today termed budget 2020-21 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as empty drum as nothing new was announced for education and farming sector. Dubbing this budget as anti people, anti-youngsters and anti-farmers, Mr. Singla said that no incentive for manufacturing sector is given in this budget.In a press communiqué issued here today, he said that government has also totally ignored the aspect of increase the consumption. Calling personal income tax rebate is just a publicity stunt, which will not provide any benefit to people at large, he said that union government has reduced LIC benefits and tax rebate benefits on donations. Union Government has also reduced GST compensation to states, which will put up extra burden on reducing financial sources of state governments.Education Minister said that government has proposed to increase fiscal deficit in this budget, which would amplify the inflation in the country. He said that the government has also completely ignored recommendations of the government think tank Niti Aayog that India should increase the education expenditure to nearly 6 per cent of the GDP. He said that World Bank had also disclosed in its report that the government spending on education in India is 3.8 per cent of GDP which is lesser than the world average of about 4.7 per cent of GDP. "India need complete overhauling in education sector and youngsters want jobs instead of long budget speech", he lamented, adding that now the Modi government is looking towards FDI in education sector.Education and PWD Minister further said that step-motherly treatment has also been meted out to Punjab in this budget as no new debt relief scheme is announced for the farming sector. Mr. Singla said that doubling farmers income by 2022 is still seeming Jumla as no new step in this direction has been announced.He also said that union Govt has made Income tax more complex, which will create more difficulties for the tax payers.