February 7, 2022
Sudip Bandyopadhyay speaks during the General Discussion on the Union Budget for 2022-23
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Sir, I expected and it would have been better had the Finance Minister been present at the time of the Budget debate.
Sir, this year’s Budget is of Rs.39.45 lakh crore and the total receipt is of Rs.22.84 lakh crore. So, it is a deficit Budget overall. I want to draw the attention of the House to what has happened to the previous year’s Budget as well. It was
a Budget of Rs.34.83 lakh crore and when it was revised, it increased by Rs.37.70 lakh crore. Do you know, Sir, why was it lifted when it was revised? Here, an amount of Rs.51,791 crore was made towards settlement of outstanding guaranteed liabilities of Air India, including from capital expenditure of Revised Estimates. The amount of Rs.51,000 crore was taken by the Government to make TATA’s passage clear, and Air India was sold to TATAs for only Rs.18,000 crore. It was mentioned proudly in the Budget Speech. It is not my quote but it is a quote mentioned in the Budget. So, I think this portion of the Budget should be described as ‘the joke of the Budget 2022-23’ Sir, this Budget is presented by saying “Prime Minister’s Vision for India @100.” I consider it as a pious wish. It is a Budget of grave disappointment. It contributes nothing to the common people – I will come gradually to it. It is long
on promises but short on effect. No sign of overall reform is reflected in this Budget. I will describe this Budget as a ‘Sell India Budget’. Air India is sold. The name of Neelanchal Ispat Nigam Limited, NINL has been mentioned in the Budget speech. It would also be sold. LIC’s public issue is going to come. So, it is also proposed to be sold. What is happening so far as the public sector undertakings are concerned? In our country, there are navratna type ofpublic sector undertakings, maharatnatype of public sector undertakings, ratna type of public sector undertakings, mini-ratna type of public sector undertakings, but this Government is in a mood to sell out all the public sector undertakings. Mr. Dayanidhi mentioned the names. So, I will not mention the names in details. Why are they doing it? We totally oppose the idea of this Government to disinvest the public sector undertakings. We totally oppose the sale of at least the profit-making public sector undertakings. What is the reason for which the Government is going to sell out a portion of even the LIC? LIC is a jewel crown-asset of the country. LIC is the largest asset manager of this country. Its assets are of about Rs. 31 lakh crore as per the balance-sheet, which is about the balance-sheet of SBI – Rs. 39.51 lakh crore. The balance-sheet of LIC is equivalent to the amount of Central Budget. The Central Budget is of Rs. 35 lakh crore. So, why should we touch such type of a sector? Today, banks are in an uncertain position. People are keen to know what will be the fate and future of the banks of this country, which were once
nationalised by the great leader, Shrimati Indira Gandhi? Now, does this Government have a thought or idea to go for denationalisation of banks? Does it want to hand over the banks and the LIC altogether to the private people? I
apprehend that the basic economic policy of the Government is going to take completely another shape. All attempts are being made to see that all past records and all past history are lifted. These issues can be taken up. I apprehend
that banks, LIC and also the nationalised coal mines can be given to the private parties. Now, I come to cryptocurrency. How will you introduce such a currency in a country like ours? Cryptocurrency is a risk. They are going to introduce a Bill in this Session itself. It is a gambling type of currency. People are not aware of what cryptocurrency is. They will get it passed without sending the Cryptocurrency Bill to the Standing Committee. This Government has the habit to introduce the Bill and get it passed without a discussion. In this case, I warn from the very beginning. What is Digital Rupee? We all have to pay serious thoughts and ideas to this. The hon. Finance Minister has to explain about it. Then, Sir, unemployment is at a skyrocketed high. Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was telling the other day that it has come down from two crores to 60 lakhs. That is your commitment in this Budget. There is no increase for 100-day jobs under MGNREGS. The most accepted policy of the Government at least inspired unemployed people of the country. But there is no signal of any increase in 100-day jobs. For youths, it is taking a very negative side that it can be withdrawn also. What I would propose is this. MSMEs are to be given more priority.MSMEs are to be given more financial support. MSMEs can generate employment. This Government should not run behind the big industries which are near and dear to them. At this juncture, the condition of the country cannot be very effective and big industries cannot deliver employment facilities which MSMEs can. So, the Government should give priority to this sector. There are seven engines in Prime Minister Gati Shakti Scheme. What are these seven engines? These are – roads, railways, airports, ports, mass transport, waterways, and logistics infra. They are supposed to pull forward the Indian economy. I want to know from the Government how many airports we have sold. I am asking a straightforward question. Airports have been sold. I want to know from the Government how many have been sold. And you are going to develop your economy through airports! You have to remain answerable to this House.There is a type of godowns which are going to be established in this country. It is known as silo godowns. What are these godowns? These will be steel structure bodies with 50,000 MT to 5,00,000 MT capacity for protection of food grains in a better way. I appreciate it as I am the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution. All these silos whether they are in Bengaluru or Gujarat or Maharashtra have been handed over to Mr. Adani but no one else. I propose to the Government to set up these silo projects but consult with the State Governments. Take ideas from them. It is being looked after by FCI but this system is running very speedily. Now, I come to black money. Parallel black money economy is still running in the country. What benefit did we achieve from demonetization? Piyush Goyal Ji made a statement in February 2019 that Rs. 1.39 lakh crore had been recovered through various anti-black money measures including demonetization. It is not a failure. With a great enthusiasm, the Government announced demonetization but only Rs. 1.39 lakh crore were recovered. What about the black money kept in Switzerland? What agreement have Switzerland and Government of India made with each other? Till now, $12 trillion are in Switzerland illegally. I want to know from the Government whether you are negotiating with the Switzerland Government. Since our young age, we are habituated to hear that there is money in Swiss Bank. स्विस बैंक के साथ जो एग्रीमेंट हुआ था, उसका क्या हुआ? आप लोग उस ब्लैक मनी को कब िापस लाएगं े? हर एक बकैं अकाउंट में15 लाख रुपयेडालेजाएगं े, यह कस्मटमेंट, यह स्डक्लेरशे न तो भारतीय जनता पाटी नेचनुाि सेपहलेस्कया था। कम सेकम स्विजरलैंड सेतो ब्लैक मनी ररकिर कीस्जए। The prices of fuel are going up. There is nobody to ask; there is nobody to respond. Why? They are autonomous bodies. You cannot ask questions. Why is it not increasing now? It is because Uttar Pradesh elections are there. We apprehend that when Uttar Pradesh elections will be over, prices of fuel may go up to any level. We want commitment from the Government that wherever it is stopped, let it be stopped, or make a roll back of the prices. We, from the Benches of the Opposition, make a demand that price rise which has happened up till now should be rolled back. The big ideas, big proposals, big assurances cannot make the common people happy. The issue of cooperative federalism has been raised. I also want to speak on this issue. The policy of the Government in this Budget has been declared that financial assistance to States for capital investment will be increased from Rs. 10,000 crore to Rs. 1 lakh crore up to 2022-23 Budget. What will happen? What is the roadmap for allotment of Rs. 1 lakh crore? I want to know whether it will go to Gujarat or Maharashtra or to Karnataka. After Independence, the States of Eastern India, regionally, were exploited in Indian economy. We were exploited. People look at the States which are flourishing which are wellequipped, but we must claim that Rs. 1 lakh crore. We want to know for which State it is going to be allocated. … (Interruptions). I am going to conclude. I normally do not take much time. What for is Central vista being created? How much money has been spent? Big buildings like Vigyan Bhawan, National Museum, National Cultural Centre have been demolished. There is no Vigyan Bhawan today. All have been demolished. Another six new buildings are going to be constructed. What for? What is the total amount allocated to decorate Rajpath? I must make a demand which all political Parties once supported. What is the thinking of the Government regarding State funding of elections? Once a Committee headed by Shri Indrajit Gupta broadly placed that all recognized political parties will be extended support for their candidate to contest the elections. It was also an all-Party resolution supported by both the ruling as well as Opposition parties. I propose to you to consult in the Cabinet or in the Party and think over the State funding of elections. It is a necessity at this time. Lastly, I would like to conclude by asking about the Pegasus agreement. Nowhere is it being discussed at all. We want to know whether it is a fact or whether it has happened or whether we have come to any agreement with Israel. It is not less than a USD 200 crore agreement. My Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, very vehemently commented upon this Budget that it is a Pegasusspin Budget, but I describe it as a cosmetic type of Budget. So, we want to hear from the hon. Finance Minister whether it is a Pegasus-type or cosmetic-type or sell-India-type Budget. Today, I heard the speech of Modi ji from beginning till end. It was a total battle between Prime Minister and Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. Many other Members spoke many things. They requested me to make this issue alive over here once. Why did the Prime Minister not respond to any other Opposition Party Leader? Is it an understanding between the two Parties, which is alleged sometimes? Sir, thank you very much for allowing me to speak by exceeding my time. The Member from my Party to speak next, namely, Shri Kalyan Banerjee will speak tomorrow. Please do not cut any of his time. With this request, I do not support the Budget. Thank you, Sir.
