In a significant development, four opposition Chief Ministers have decided to skip the upcoming NITI Aayog meeting. This move comes as a protest against what they view as a ‘discriminatory’ Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23.
Congress-led Boycott
Three Congress-ruled states are at the forefront of this boycott:
– Telangana: Revanth Reddy
– Karnataka: Siddaramaiah
– Himachal Pradesh: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Additionally, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister MK Stalin, from the DMK party, has joined the protest.
NITI Meeting and Opposition’s Stance
The NITI Aayog meeting, set for July 27 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, now faces this challenge. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal expressed strong disapproval of the budget, calling it “extremely discriminatory and dangerous.” He stressed that it goes against federalism and fairness principles.
Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah pointed out the lack of attention to his state’s needs in the budget. Opposition leaders claim the budget favors only Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, suggesting political motives behind these choices.
Budget Highlights and NDA Allies’ Benefits
Finance Minister Sitharaman’s seventh consecutive budget introduced several changes:
– Increased standard deduction for salaried individuals
– Revised tax rates under the new tax system
– Reduced customs duty on various items including gold, silver, and mobile phones
Notably, the budget allocated significant funds to Andhra Pradesh and announced major projects for Bihar. Both states are governed by NDA allies – Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh and Janata Dal-United in Bihar.
NITI Aayog and Opposition’s Next Steps
The opposition’s decision to boycott the NITI Aayog meeting highlights their discontent with the budget’s perceived bias. Stalin accused the Union government of sidelining Tamil Nadu in the budget allocations.
Looking ahead, the INDIA bloc MPs plan to voice their concerns. They will stage a protest in front of Parliament House before the day’s proceedings begin on July 24.
This boycott of the NITI Aayog meeting serves as a strong message from the opposition. It underscores their dissatisfaction with the budget’s allocation and raises questions about the federal structure’s fairness. As the political landscape heats up, all eyes will be on how the government responds to these concerns and whether it can bridge the growing divide with opposition-ruled states.
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