Budget 2024: Sitharaman defends lack of state mentions amid Opposition walkout
New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended the 2024 budget allocations after facing allegations of discrimination from the Opposition. Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Sitharaman explained that it is impractical to mention every state in the Budget speech, responding to criticisms raised by the Opposition, particularly senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.
The controversy arose after the Opposition staged a walkout during the Budget presentation. Sitharaman expressed her disappointment at the walkout, emphasizing the importance of democratic discourse. She said, "It is unfortunate that the Opposition, particularly senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge, chose to leave rather than listen to my response. In the spirit of democracy, it would have been appropriate for the Opposition to stay and hear my explanations."
Sitharaman also provided historical context, noting that the Congress party, which has been in power for many years, has similarly presented numerous budgets without mentioning every state. She pointed out that it is a longstanding practice, given the impracticality of addressing each state individually in a single budget speech.
Kharge had criticized the Budget for its limited mention of states, prompting Sitharaman's clarification. She highlighted that budget allocations are designed to benefit the nation as a whole, and the absence of specific state mentions does not imply neglect or discrimination.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
