The JMM-Congress-RJD coalition government of Jharkhand termed this year’s Union Budget as pro-capitalist, something that had failed to provide any hope to the common man, migrants and the marginalised.
State transport minister Champai Soren, who is an MLA from Seraikela, said he was always prepared to be disappointed with the 2021 budget. “It doesn’t say anything about providing relief to the aam-admi. On the contrary, it is aimed at further burdening the common man as fuel is set to get costlier further with introduction of new agri-cess. Insurance (LIC) will provide less returns in the coming days with a hike in FDI from 43 per cent to 74 per cent.
“Also, there’s been no relaxation in taxation for the salaried class, while there’s no word on improving the lives and livelihood of migrants, labourers and the like,” he said, adding that the BJP’s capitalist friends would be elated with the Budget as it had laid the groundwork for the “sale of all other remaining government entities”.
“Airports, roads, ports, railways will further get privatized in the name of proper operation and maintenance, which in turn will cost the pockets of the aam-admi,” he noted.
JMM’s ally, Congress reacted on similar lines. Congress party’s state spokesman Rakesh Sinha said, “Did anyone hear about farmers and common-man in this budget? In a nutshell, we see it as a template to sell India and its assets to crony capitalists.”
Notably, Congress president and state party president Rameshwar Oraon in his wish list to Union finance minister Nirmala Sitarama last month, had asked for an IIT in Ranchi to boost higher education, increase in central assistances, special road projects under Bharatmala project and rail links to districts that are untouched.
RJD, another constituent of the ruling alliance, also snubbed the budget. State labour and employment department minister and Chatra MLA Satyanand Bhokta said, “Budget 2021 clearly shows that in the coming years, the central government will sell all government resources. A state like Jharkhand which is on the path of development did not get any benefit.”
The BJP in Jharkhand, however, hailed the Budget as a step towards achieving the Prime Minister’s goal of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. Former chief minister Raghubar Das said, “The first ever Union Budget coming amid the covid-19 global pandemic embodies the spirit of ‘vocal for local’ to make India self-reliant in coming years. The highest takeaway in this budget is the government’s commitment to spend towards public health and infrastructure by allocation of Rs 2.23 lakh crore, which is perhaps the highest ever.”
The former chief minister also said that the Sonnagar-Gomoh eastern freight corridor project (263.7km rail network) would also benefit Jharkhand in the coming years.
