Budget of desperation: Mamata Banerjee slams Centre

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee termed the interim budget as a ‘budget of desperation’ on Friday.

“We feel this is an expiry budget. This is a budget of desperation. This budget will not be implemented. The tenure of this government will be over in one month. After elections, a new government will come and present a new budget. I am not an economist, but I have practical knowledge and ideas. Nobody knows what the financial situation of the country is, she said.

The chief minister further added, "It is obvious, economic emergency is going on in the country. Where will this money come from? How will it be managed? This government has no moral authority to put forth this budget. After expiry is there any value? This is a value-less budget".

Banerjee also alleged that the budget is a farce and an attempt to cheat farmers ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the country. She claimed that the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme was copied from Bengal government’s Krishak Bandhu scheme introduced on December 31, last year.

“Why has this government not announced a single agenda for farmers for the last four and a half years? We have already started the ‘Krishak Bandhu’ scheme. A similar scheme has been announced today. Why did not announce these schemes earlier? They know they can never implement these scheme but it is an attempt to get votes,” she said.

She further added that the MGNREGA’s total budget has been curtailed as a result of which the 100 days work for the poor will be affected. 
“They have not given any extra amount for MGNREGA scheme. The funds are lower than revised estimate. People are not getting their dues. They have decreased funds for Swachh Bharat Mission by 25 per cent,” Banerjee said.