Chandigarh: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) senior leader and Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema sharply criticized the centre’s BJP government for neglecting SC, ST and middle class of our country in Union Budget 2022-23. According to Harpal Cheema that people are still overcoming Covid pandemic and they had great expectations from government for some kind of relief but, were only given cold-shoulder.

He added that Punjab was once again ignored since the budget has no special package for the state. Cheema said that 25% cut in MNREGA allocation is a proof of BJP government’s insensitivity towards the poor people. He said that lakhs of people lost their jobs, unemployment rate is so high and income has been decreased, middle and lower class is already under so much financial stress.

But, BJP government is still focused on the richest corporate houses and through this budget too BJP tried their best to give benefits to the capitalists. Farmers were also expecting some measures from centre government to address their long standing demand of MSP and some scheme to tackle crop-damage loses, but the BJP-led centre government further reduced the share of agriculture and allied activities in the total budget. AAP leader said that instead of strengthening the public sector to ensure the development of every section of society and control the record high inflation rate, BJP government once again favoured the capitalists.

He said that government did not introduce any plan or new steps to reduce the inflation. He added that public sector is the most vital player to control inflation but centre government has been privatising all major public sectors and they have no vision for the common people. Harpal Cheema said that centre government had nothing to offer to farmers, youth and marginalised sections of the country. Budget has been a big disappointment to common people as they are in no condition to bear the brunt of it.

Cheema said that this budget will further increase the inflation and since government has no solid plans to employ the youth of our country, it will worsen the financial condition of the lower and middle class.