Panaji: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Amit Patkar has come down heavily on the BJP-led central government, denouncing the Union Budget 2025-26 as “anti-people” and “visionless.” Patkar criticized the budget for favoring corporate interests while neglecting the pressing issues of inflation, unemployment, and lack of investment in essential public sectors like healthcare and education.
“The BJP government has once again turned its back on the common man,” Patkar stated. “There is no relief from rising prices, no comprehensive plan to address unemployment, and no significant boost to healthcare or education spending. This budget serves only a select few crony capitalists while the middle class, farmers, and workers continue to suffer.”
Key Concerns Highlighted by Amit Patkar:
- No Relief from Inflation:
The budget fails to address the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, leaving the middle class and poor struggling.
High fuel and food costs remain unchecked, putting additional strain on household budgets.
- Superficial Tax Cuts:
The minor tax relief announced offers little real benefit to ordinary citizens.
High indirect taxes, such as GST and fuel taxes, remain unchanged, keeping the cost of living high.
- Lack of Job Creation Measures:
No concrete plans have been introduced to tackle unemployment, especially among the youth.
The government’s neglect of skill development and job-creating industries is worsening the employment crisis.
- Neglect of Healthcare and Education:
There is no significant increase in funding for public healthcare or education, pushing people towards expensive private institutions.
The budget fails to address the need for affordable medical and educational facilities for the poor and middle class.
- Reduced Social Welfare Spending:
The focus on fiscal consolidation has come at the cost of essential social welfare schemes, negatively impacting rural development.
Farmers, laborers, and marginalized communities are left without adequate financial support.
- Continued Neglect of Farmers:
The budget overlooks the rising costs of agricultural inputs, low Minimum Support Prices (MSP), and mounting farmer debt.
No substantial measures have been introduced to support the agricultural sector, pushing farmers further into distress.
Congress Stands with the People
“This budget clearly shows that the BJP government is anti-poor and anti-middle class,” Patkar concluded. “It prioritizes corporate interests while ordinary citizens are left to bear the brunt of economic mismanagement. The Congress will continue to stand with the people, demanding immediate measures to control inflation, create jobs, and provide much-needed relief to the working class.”
