The Lok Sabha has resumed discussions on the Union Budget for 2026-27. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had presented the Union Budget in Parliament on the 1st of this month. Participating in the discussion, Arun Bharti of LJP (R) described the Union Budget as a budget for the nation's development. He termed it as a visionary and inclusive budget, stating that it will lay the foundation for achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047. He said that the Union Budget strengthens the MSME sector and promotes manufacturing. Mr. Bharti stated that the Centre has prioritized Bihar, noting that financial assistance to the state, which stood at around three lakh crore rupees between 2004 and 2014, has been increased threefold to nine lakh crore rupees during 2014 to 2024. Indra Hang Subba of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha said that the Budget has taken care of all sections of society. He stated that it is essential to strengthen all sectors to make India self-reliant. Mr. Subba added that the provision made for industry-led research in the Budget is a welcome step. Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal of AAP has alleged that there is nothing concrete in the Union Budget for the people of the country. He said that allocations for the National Health Mission have been reduced in the Budget. Sudheer Gupta of BJP hailed the Union Budget, saying that it will fulfill the vision of making India a developed nation by 2047. He said that during the UPA rule, the size of the Union Budget was 16 lakh crore rupees in 2013-14, while in the NDA regime, it has crossed 53 lakh crore rupees in 2026-27. He said that the capital expenditure, which was only two lakh crore rupees, has touched 12 lakh crore rupees during the present dispensation. In the Defence sector, budgetary provisions of 6 lakh 80 thousand crore rupees have been made, while it was two lakh crore rupees during the UPA regime. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said that there is nothing concrete in the Union Budget. He said that the Budget is centered around Artificial Intelligence (AI) and expressed apprehension that AI will challenge many jobs in the Engineering and IT sector. Mr. Gandhi said that we are living in a world where energy and finance are being weaponized and they are being used as tools of power. He said that the Economic Survey indicates an intensifying geopolitical conflict, but the Budget does not talk about what to do to address this conflict. Mr. Gandhi raised the issue of the India-US trade deal, accusing the government of losing control over digital trade rules. Anurag Singh Thakur of BJP said that this Budget boosts the poor with welfare, women with strength, farmers with progress, and youth with opportunities. The Rajya Sabha has also resumed discussions on the Union Budget for 2026-27. Haris Beeran of IUML alleged that the Budget does not offer anything for farmers and fishermen. He also alleged that Kerala has been ignored in the Budget. He sought clarification about the rare earth project in Kerala. Ashok Chavan of BJP said that the budget is centered on the youth, strengthens women, farmers, entrepreneurs, poor, underprivileged, and all sections of society. He said that this is a budget for the entire country. Former Prime Minister and JD(S) leader, H D Devegowda, said that India has the talent, the enterprise, and the ambition to lead the world. He hoped that this budget would be remembered not only for the numbers but for the wisdom in building an economy that is strong today and will ensure a stronger tomorrow. Mr. Devegowda suggested that growth alone is not enough, but employment must be the center of the policy thinking.
