NEW DELHI, Feb 11: Hitting back at the Congress for its “incompetent doctors” remark on handling of the economy, the BJP on Tuesday said there was no foundation for the opposition criticism and termed as “wrong” the diagnosis and treatment of the economy done during the UPA regime.
Participating in the discussion on the Finance Bill, BJP member Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Union Budget for 2020-21 has taken care of all sections of society and all sectors to ensure all-round development of the country.
He said the demand will rise due to increased spending power and the government has infused money to increase public sector spending.
“Our doctor is right and our diagnosis is also right….You did vote bank politics, while we are doing ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas,’ he said.
“Your diagnosis was wrong and your treatment was wrong too. There is no foundation for your criticism. But you are indulging in misleading the country,” he said.
Initiating the debate on the Union Budget for 2020-21, Congress leader P Chidambaram had said on Monday that the economy was close to collapse and was being attended by “very incompetent doctors.”
The BJP MP said investment and demand will rise through this budget and every section of society will be benefited.
Justifying the RBI paying the government out of its reserves, he said it is the duty of every central bank to return extra income to the Government and central banks across the world do this.
Opposition members said the Budget has not lived up to expectations and fails to address challenge faced by the Indian economy.
They also attacked the Union Government for the “step- motherly” treatment to states and privatisation of public sector units including Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
PL Punia (Congress) said the Government is not ready to accept the crisis in the economy and urged the finance minister to consult experts to address the problem.
He also accused the government of doing nothing for the welfare of scheduled castes and tribals, saying sub-plans be restored for SCs and Tribals.
Continuing the debate on the Budget, TRS member K Keshava Rao said the Budget has set up an ambitious disinvestment target and would be difficult to achieve. He said the dual tax system proposed in the Budget would benefit chartered accountants.
The TRS member also raised the issue of “step motherly” treatment being given to States in devolution of taxes.
Binoy Vishwam (CPI) said the economy is already on “ventilator” and the Budget does not provide any solution to it.
He accused the Government of selling off national wealth to select private companies.
Vishwam said even the BJP-RSS affiliated trade union BMS is opposing the stake sales in the LIC. He also rued that allocation for MNREGA has been lowered by around Rs 10,000 crore.
BSP member Veer Singh said the Centre has “ruined” the Indian economy and unemployment is at a 45 year-high. He charged the BJP-ruled central government has failed to fulfil its promises.
He alleged the Centre is ending reservations for SC/STs and OBCs.
Singh asked the government to provide reservation to SC/STs and OBCs in private sector if it is serious and committed to welfare of backward classes.
Kumari Selja of the Congress focused on Haryana in her speech and said the State has not got its due in terms of allocation of funds.
“There was lot of expectation from the Budget that it will address problems of the country as well that of women,” she said, adding the Budget turned out to be a damp squib.
The Congress leader raised the reservation issue and accused the Central Government of misleading the House. (PTI)
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