BRS MLC K Kavitha called the union Budget 2023-24 a disappointment for the people of Telangana and several other States, despite it being the last full budget by the BJP government. She said that the income tax rebate on income up to Rs 7 lakh in the new tax regime was useless to the people of Telangana.
“This budget is a mathematical confirmation of the failure of the Modi government. This seems like a budget for a few States. We hoped for tax rebate of up to Rs 10 lakh. In Telangana, we pay good salaries to people so this rebate is of no use to us,” Kavitha said.
The MLC added that the Centre only announced development projects in either poll-bound States or BJP-governed States.
“The Centre announces development projects in either poll-bound States or BJP-governed States. They announced Rs.10,000 crore for infrastructure, which infrastructure? They are not clear. They owe Rs.1,000 crore to Telangana and I request the union Finance Minister to pay our dues,” she said.
Kavitha wanted to know if the BJP truly followed its slogan of “Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas”, why were funds not allocated to all States without any discrimination. She recalled that 157 nursing colleges were announced in the union Budget, which would be established in the same locations where 157 medical colleges were sanctioned last year. “Telangana was not sanctioned any medical college last year and hence, it has been again deprived of a nursing college as well,” she added.
She asked why the National Investment Manufacturing Zone in Telangana or any other Special Economic Zones were not being extended tax incentives on the lines of GIFT City in Gujarat where tax exemptions were offered till 2025. Similarly, the Centre allocated Rs 5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra project’s construction, but no funds were allocated for the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, Mission Bhagiratha, or any other irrigation project.
Despite NITI Aayog recommendations, Kavitha stated that the Centre was ignoring developing states like Telangana and only supporting a few states. She demanded to know whether it was a union Budget or a budget for select States of the country.
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“There is no specific action plan for developmental activities. The union Budget neither promised new schemes nor gave any priority to old schemes which indicates that the BJP has made up its mind on its fate in the next general elections. It is the most disappointing budget ever for Telangana,” she said.
Further, the MLC said that despite announcing Rs.20 lakh crore package for MSMEs after the Covid-19 pandemic, the Modi government did not release even Rs.1 lakh crore. Pending funds for Telangana have also not been released as of yet. Airports and other infrastructure development projects announced during the Union Budget will be granted to BJP-ruled states later.
She stated that proposals for the establishment of aerodromes in Nizamabad and Warangal were sent nine years ago, but there has been no response. She demanded that the BJP government clarify the specific purposes for which Rs.10 lakh crore were allocated for infrastructure development.
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