New Delhi, February 10 – The Trinamool Congress, DMK, and Shiv Sena (UBT) on Tuesday criticized provisions in the General Budget, accusing Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of depriving states ruled by BJP's rivals of funds.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha on the General Budget, Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee accused Sitharaman of attempting to reverse the "Robin Hood model."
"She taxes the poor while giving concessions and privileges to the rich," Banerjee said.
The Trinamool Congress leader stated that the finance minister did not mention West Bengal in her 85-minute budget speech, and even the announcement of the freight corridor from Dankuni to Surat was originally made in 2009 by then Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee.
"The Constitution guarantees equality among states. However, this government favors allies while disadvantaging opponents. This is not a model of cooperative federalism; it is a model of federalism based on subscription," Banerjee, a Lok Sabha member from Diamond Harbour, said.
He stated that citizens are taxed at every stage of life, from birth to death.
"Taxes are levied on milk and diapers when a child is born. Education and stationery also attract taxes. As an adult, income, savings, and daily consumption are all subject to taxation."
He also mentioned that taxes are levied on fuel for commuting, healthcare, medicines, and pensions in old age. Even incense sticks used at funerals are subject to taxation.
Banerjee said that West Bengal contributed Rs 6.5 lakh crore in taxes over the last seven years, but was denied its rightful share.
"We live in India where raising the slogan 'Joy Bangla' or singing 'Amar Shona Bangla' can lead to being labeled as an infiltrator. While they say 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' from every platform, I come from an India where Bengal is not receiving its dues of Rs 1,90,000 crore," Banerjee said.
"India faces pressure, increasing taxes, and broken trust," he added.
DMK leader T R Baalu described the budget presented by Sitharaman as "rhetoric from a slogan-chanting government."
He stated that some initiatives, such as the employment-linked insurance scheme, the research and development fund, and innovation fund, announced in the previous budget, have not yet been implemented.
Baalu expressed concern about the trade deal with the US, saying that it would open the floodgates for American agricultural products in Indian markets. He also said that projects such as the Sethusamudram and AIIMS in Madurai were still pending.
The DMK leader stated that the Centre government has not provided funds for phase two of the metro rail project and the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan.
Shiv Sena-UBT leader Anil Desai said that Maharashtra contributed Rs 5.5 lakh crore in taxes to the national exchequer, but received less from the Centre, while NCP-SP member Bajrang Sonwane pointed out that none of the recommendations discussed by the GST Council were taken into consideration in the Union Budget.
The Centre is now rectifying its own mistakes as it hurriedly implemented new GST rates, Sonwane said. "Will the Centre bear the losses faced by traders due to GST?"
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram lauded Sitharaman for presenting nine consecutive budgets, highlighting its importance in a male-dominated field.
Terming the interim trade agreement with the US as "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery and inside an enigma", he said, "I hope the finance minister will provide details of the deal in her speech – whether India is obligated to buy USD 500 billion worth of US goods, or whether we are allowed to buy oil from Russia and Iran with whom we have longstanding relations."
Trinamool Congress member Saugata Ray claimed that the prime minister had asked not to mention West Bengal in the budget speech as he would be making the announcements later. "The finance minister has been practically cruel to Bengal," Ray said.
He demanded that the Centre pay the "unpaid dues" for the West Bengal government. The Union Budget seems like it was "created by Donald Trump instead of the Government of India," Ray added.
JMM member Vijay Kumar Hansdak slammed the government over the trade agreement with the US. He claimed that the government had compromised the interests of farmers by allowing agricultural imports from the US.
Congress MP Viriato Fernandes expressed disappointment that Goa was not mentioned in the Budget. Major national issues such as inequality, unemployment, and health were not addressed in the Budget, he said.
Goa is facing severe financial stress due to faulty policies, the MP claimed, and criticized the Finance Commission's inaction in this matter.
RJD member Abhay Kumar Sinha accused the BJP government of not delivering promises after coming to power in Bihar. He said that when the BJP came to power, they said the priorities would change, and there would be real differences in the lives of common people.
According to data, rural development, education, and items of social infrastructure have been reduced in the 2026 budget, Sinha said.
National Conference member Mian Altaf Ahmad accused Sitharaman of not making provisions for employment generation. He also highlighted issues in the banking and tourism sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.
