Nirmala Sitharaman Defends Budget: 26 States Not Named in 2009

Sitharaman Addresses Claims of Favoritism in the Union Budget

In a recent Lok Sabha session, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tackled the opposition’s claims that the current Union Budget favors BJP allies, particularly the JD(U) in Bihar and the TDP in Andhra Pradesh. Sitharaman emphasized that the absence of a state’s name in the budget does not imply exclusion.

Historical Context of State Naming in Budgets

Sitharaman pointed out that similar instances occurred during previous administrations. She revealed that in the 2009-10 Budget, 26 states were not specifically named. This practice is not unique to the current administration; during the UPA era, significant numbers of states were also left unnamed in budget speeches. For instance, the 2004-05 Budget did not mention 17 states, while 18 were not named in 2005-06, and 16 in 2007-08.

Allocations and Support for Key States

Despite criticisms, Sitharaman highlighted substantial financial allocations for various states. For Andhra Pradesh’s new capital, Amaravati, Rs 15,000 crore was allocated. Bihar received Rs 26,000 crore for road connectivity projects. Additionally, Rs 17,000 crore was allocated to Jammu and Kashmir, with Rs 12,000 crore specifically for police financing and an additional Rs 5,000 crore in central assistance.

Opposition’s Claims and Government’s Stance

The opposition argues that these allocations favor BJP allies and are politically motivated. Sitharaman refuted these claims, asserting that the budget is designed to support development across all states, not just those with political affiliations.

Sitharaman’s defense underscores a broader perspective on budget allocations and historical precedents. The debate highlights the complexities of budgetary politics and the ongoing scrutiny of government spending.