THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : The CPI(M) State Secretariat gave its call to observe Feb 6 as Protest Day against the Union Budget, given its hugely adverse impact for the common man. As part of the decision, district centres across the State will organize marches to converge on one central govt office in each district.
The budget presented by Union Minister on Saturday is overwhelmingly for the wealthy corporates and is designed push commoners into deeper distress. BJP’s sloppy governance has saddled the country into economic slowdown and stagnation resulting in all-time-high inflation.
Most of RBI’s reserves have been eaten into by the Centre to meet its fund needs after handing out huge tax-cuts to corporates. The government aims to usher in total privatisation by setting an aggressive Rs 2.1 trillion revenue generation target through its stake sale in PSUs. Funds for all central welfare schemes have been slashed in the present Budget. There is nothing in the budget to rescue the agricultural sector from verge of collapse. The Budget is cutting down on subsidy for chemical fertilizers. In a disturbing trend, LIC that fetches substantial revenue to the govt is put up for sale.
The vengeful directives against cooperative sector in the Budget is aimed to destroy the sector. The move to tax NRI incomes too will ravage the State. To top it, the Budget has slashed State share in central revenues. Centre’s aims for State development has been left out in the present Budget. It does not mention funds need for expansion of Railways in the State either.
Instead of encouraging investments and increasing purchasing power of the masses to accelerate economic growth, the present budget seeks to enrich wealthy incumbents by reducing corporate tax rates. We should mobilise strong protest against this anti-commoner Budget Everybody is therefore requested to participate in the protest march scheduled for 6 February and make our demand for changes a successful endeavour
