NEW DELHI: Castigated for being a ‘suit boot ka sarkar’, the Modi Government on Friday sought to take the battle over poor people’s rights to the Congress camp with the Budget speech stating in as many words that it is the ‘poor’ who will have the first right on national resources.
“The poor have the first right on the resources of the nation,” Finance Minister Piyush Goyal said in his Budget speech and also referred to the much talked about Constitutional Amendment Bill that gave 10 per cent reservation in educational institutions and Government services for ‘poor’ among the general category.
Notably, the counter narrative of ‘poor’ vis-a-vis Muslims or minorities as stated by the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in 2006 came even as in the past too the BJP leaders have slammed Dr Singh for his remarks.
The reference is to Dr Singh’s statement on December 9, 2006 when he had told the 52nd meeting of the National Development Council (NDC) plans for minorities, particularly Muslims, must have the “first claim” on resources so that benefits of development reach them equitably.
“We will have to devise innovative plans to ensure that minorities, particularly the Muslim minority, are empowered to share equitably the fruits of development. These must have the first claim on resources,” Dr Singh has said.
For his part, FM Mr Goyal said the government while maintaining the existing reservation for SC/ST/Other Backward Classes, have now ensured 10 reservation in educational institutions and Government services for poor.
“In these institutions, around 25 per cent extra seats (approximately 2 lakh) will be provided so that, there is no shortfall of presently available/reserved seats for any class”.
To provide foodgrains at affordable prices to the poor and middle class, the FM said about Rs 1,70,000 crore were spent in 2018-19 which is almost “double” the amount of Rs 92,000 crore spent in 2013-14.
“We ensured that everyone gets food and none goes to sleep hungry. Rs 60,000 crore is being allocated for MGNREGA in Budget Estimates 2019-20. Additional amount would be provided if required,” he said.
Mr Goyal said – this government has worked to bridge the urban-rural divide in the country.
“Honourable members in this August House, most of whom are from rural areas, will agree that several times in the past, only empty promises have been made to people living in our villages,” he said.
“During the last five years, we have undertaken targeted expenditure to improve their quality of life in all its dimensions. Our aim, is to provide urban facilities in villages while keeping the soul of rural life intact,” the Finance Minister said.
(AGENCIES)
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