West Bengal Budget 2024-25: BJP MLA Ashok Lahiri Calls it an Election Manifesto, Not a Financial Plan

BJP MLA Ashok Lahiri criticized the West Bengal state budget, claiming it prioritizes upcoming general elections over the states financial affairs. He drew parallels to the song Kahin Pe Nigahen, Kahin Pe Nishana from the film CID, suggesting the budget aims at the Lok Sabha polls.

Kolkata: Economist and opposition BJP MLA in the West Bengal Assembly, Ashok Kumar Lahiri, has raised concerns about the state budget for 2024-25, claiming that it appears to be tailored for the upcoming general elections rather than focusing on the state's financial affairs.

Budget Criticized for Election Focus

Participating in the budget discussion on Friday, Lahiri stated that the budget proposals seemed more like an election manifesto than a proper reflection of the state's income and expenditure. He drew parallels with the hit song "Kahin Pe Nigahen, Kahin Pe Nishana" from the film CID, suggesting that while the budget proposals appeared to address the economic affairs of the state, they were actually aimed at the Lok Sabha polls.

Concerns Raised Over Financial Viability

Lahiri expressed skepticism about the budget's feasibility, stating that while it appears to offer something for everyone, it fails to address how the state will increase its earnings to support such largesse. He highlighted the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, which aims to provide financial assistance to women from weaker sections of society, and pointed out that it alone will entail an annual expenditure of Rs 12,000 crore.

TMC MLAs Defend Budget

In response to the criticism, State Agriculture and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay defended the budget proposals, arguing that financial assistance to the weaker sections acts as a catalyst for social sector advancement in a developing country. He supported the Mamata Banerjee-led government's social welfare schemes and highlighted the success of the Duare Sarkar initiative in delivering services and welfare schemes to the people's doorsteps.

Increased Revenue Cited as Funding Source

TMC MLA Debabrata Majumdar claimed that the state's revenue has increased nearly five-fold since the 2010-2011 financial year, and that funds for welfare schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar are derived from this increased revenue. He also highlighted the unique feature of the 50-day job guarantee scheme announced in the budget by Minister of State independent charge for Finance Chandrima Bhattacharya.

BJP Raises Concerns About Job Opportunities

Opposing the budget proposals, BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh asserted that the lack of job opportunities in Bengal has forced 28 lakh men and women to work as migrant laborers in other states. He expressed concerns about the state's economy becoming paralyzed due to the drying up of investments in the manufacturing sector.

Budget Discussion to Continue

The BJP members, who had staged a walkout from the House earlier in the day, returned after the recess and participated in the budget discussion. They had walked out demanding a discussion on granting land rights to tea garden workers in the state. Speaker Biman Banerjee did not allow an adjournment motion brought by the BJP MLAs on the issue during Zero hour, but one member was permitted to read out the text of the motion in the House. The discussion on the state budget will continue on Saturday.