Ex-Tripura CM slams Union Budget, Claims It Neglects Farmers and Public Welfare, calls for reforms
The main Opposition in Tripura, CPIM continues to hammer the Union Budget 2025-26 criticizing the BJP Government on multiple issues including alleged favouritism of corporate interests in the Budget, neglecting farmers’ interests, weakening Public Distribution System etc. Opposing the Budget proposals, the supporters of the party are holding rallies and public gathering.
As part of the ongoing programme, Former Chief Minister of Tripura and CPIM Politburo member Manik Sarkar on Friday criticized the Union Budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. He claimed the Union Budget primarily serves corporate interests while interests of the farmers and others were neglected.
In support of his claim, Manik Sarkar mentioned the number of corporate entities has significantly increased over the past decade under the Modi-led government at the Centre.
The CPIM Politburo leader, speaking at a party gathering in Agartala on Friday, advocated for the imposition of a property tax on corporations to strengthen the national economy. He criticized the government, asserting that while it talks about the welfare of the poor during elections, its actual policies favor the wealthy and corporate sectors.
“When the RSS-backed BJP government assumed power at the Centre, the number of corporate entities was below 100. Over the past ten years, this figure has risen to more than 200,” Sarkar claimed. He alleged, these corporations have amassed wealth by exploiting and taking advantage of the common people.
Along with corporate favoritism, Sarkar said, the budget has disregarded the agricultural sector’s development, despite the ongoing large-scale protests by farmer organizations. According to him, the nation has never witnessed such a massive movement by the farmers, which has been continuing in recent years to challenge the policies of the central government.
“The Left organizations urge the government to implement a policy of procuring agricultural produce directly from farmers at the Minimum Support Price (MSP),” Sarkar added.
Continuing his criticism of the Union budget, Sarkar alleged that the Union Budget neglected vital sectors like healthcare and education. He pointed out and alleged, the Left organizations demand the government allocate 3% of the GDP to healthcare and 6% to education for the holistic development of these essential sectors, which, under the RSS-backed BJP government, are being transformed into profit-driven industries.
“The central government is weakening the Public Distribution System (PDS) instead of reinforcing it,” Sarkar alleged. He further accused the government of restricting consumer rights by limiting access to ration cards.
Sarkar also came out with some suggestions. He said, given the financial distress faced by financially weak citizens due to soaring prices of essential commodities, he urged the government to ensure the distribution of at least 13-15 essential items through ration shops to strengthen the PDS.
Sarkar also condemned the government’s negligence in job creation, emphasizing its failure to increase budgetary provisions under the MGNREGA scheme.
The ex-Tripura CM called for extensive reforms to address fundamental needs such as adequate housing, healthcare, education, and better income opportunities for the general public.
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