Union Budget 2024: ‘Step-motherly’ treatment with Punjab yet again; focus more on Nitish Kumar’s Bihar and Naidu’s Andhra Pradesh

Union Budget 2024: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her seventh budget on Tuesday. The Union Budget 2024 has left several key sectors and states feeling overlooked. Despite high expectations, significant demands from farmers, state governments, and working professionals have not been addressed, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.

Lack of Farmers’ Debt Relief

Farmers, who were hoping for substantial debt relief measures, were left disappointed as the Union Budget 2024 did not include any provisions for waiving agricultural loans. With the agricultural sector facing numerous challenges, including erratic weather patterns and rising input costs, the absence of debt relief has been a significant letdown. Farmers were anticipating concrete measures to alleviate their financial burdens and support sustainable farming practices, but their hopes were not met in this Budget.

No Special Package for Punjab

Punjab, a state with unique socio-economic challenges, had been lobbying for a special financial package to address its pressing issues. However, the Union Budget 2024 failed to allocate any specific funds or initiatives for Punjab. The demand for a special package aimed at boosting the state’s economy and addressing its agrarian distress went unheard, leaving the state’s policymakers and residents disheartened.

Increased Focus on Bihar and Andhra Pradesh

In contrast, the Budget 2024 reflected a pronounced focus on Nitish Kumar’s Bihar and Naidu’s Andhra Pradesh, with significant allocations and projects directed towards these states. This increased attention has sparked concerns and dissatisfaction in other regions, especially those such as Punjab, which feel they have been neglected. The perceived regional imbalance in budgetary allocations has led to criticism from various quarters, questioning the government’s equitable distribution of resources.

Disappointment Among Working Professionals

Working professionals also found little to cheer about in the Budget. Expectations of reforms and relief measures for salaried individuals were high, but the Budget did not introduce any significant changes. Particularly, there were no adjustments in the old tax regime, leaving those who rely on traditional tax benefits feeling ignored. Many had hoped for measures that would ease the financial pressures of inflation and rising living costs, but these were not forthcoming.

No Changes in Petrol, Diesel, and Cooking Gas Prices

Another major disappointment was the lack of changes in the prices of essential fuels such as petrol, diesel, and cooking gas. With global fuel prices fluctuating and the domestic economy grappling with inflation, many expected the budget to introduce measures to stabilise or reduce fuel costs. However, the Budget did not address these concerns, leaving consumers and businesses that rely heavily on these fuels feeling the strain.