Budget should provide relief from rising prices, says Congress

Congress criticizes Modi government for high inflation and unemployment, calls for relief in upcoming budget.

Unemployment and inflation resulting from the “wrong policies” of the Narendra Modi government had made life extremely difficult for lower and middle-class families, and the country now needed a budget that provided relief from rising prices, the Congress said on Thursday (January 23, 2025).

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget on February 1.

Sharing a media report on his X handle, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh claimed that the “back-breaking inflation in the last 10 years has emptied the pockets of the common people”.

Also Read | Government may introduce new Income Tax bill in Budget session

“The Modani [Modi-Adani] government has only taken care of its rich friends in the last ten years. Ever-increasing unemployment and inflation due to wrong policies of the government have made life extremely difficult for lower and middle-class families,” Mr. Ramesh said in a post on X.

The prices of milk, flour, pulses, petrol, diesel and vegetables were “skyrocketing,” he said. “The burden of EMIs and daily needs is increasing on every household. The country now needs a budget that provides relief from inflation!” Mr. Ramesh added.

The Congress leader asked if the government took any concrete steps after listening to the problems of the people. On Wednesday, Mr. Ramesh claimed that the “disappointing” second quarter (Q2) GDP growth numbers indicated a clear slowdown in the economy, and that the post-pandemic bump was not broad-based enough to propel long-term growth.