Shashi Tharoor criticized the Finance Bill in Lok Sabha, labeling it as “patchwork” solutions to economic issues. He highlighted structural challenges in the BJP-led NDA government’s management of the economy and expressed concerns over decreasing growth rates. Other lawmakers, including Mahua Moitra, criticized crony capitalism, while Nishikant Dubey addressed legal issues with cryptocurrency and online gaming.
On Monday, senior Congress lawmaker Shashi Tharoor spearheaded criticism of the Finance Bill, claiming it represents mere “patchwork” solutions rather than the decisive action needed to address the aspirations of the Indian populace. Initiating a debate in the Lok Sabha, Tharoor stated that the economic management of the BJP-led NDA government has encountered significant structural challenges.
Tharoor likened the Finance Minister’s presentation to a mechanic adjusting auxiliary features instead of addressing fundamental issues, stating, “The finance minister’s budget speech reminded me of the garage mechanic who said, ‘I couldn’t fix your brakes, so I made the horn louder.’” He further emphasized that despite the government’s assurances, citizens are beginning to lose faith in achieving sustainable economic growth.
In a notable moment, Tharoor recited a poem that highlighted taxpayer sentiment, portraying the national hope for progress despite governmental shortcomings. He expressed concern over declining growth targets, remarking on a troubling reduction in manufacturing’s contribution to GDP while emphasizing the growing reliance on agriculture.
During the discourse on the Finance Bill, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra accused the government of favoring crony capitalism to the detriment of small businesses. She stated that the current tax policies disproportionately benefit certain corporate entities while neglecting broader economic needs.
BJP lawmaker Nishikant Dubey also spoke during the debate, arguing against Supreme Court interventions in financial matters such as cryptocurrency regulation, which he claimed persist despite clear guidance from the Reserve Bank of India. He criticized online gaming’s negative societal impacts and highlighted the issues with taxation on gambling.
In concluding remarks, the criticisms of the Finance Bill underscore significant discontent among opposition lawmakers concerning the Indian government’s economic strategies. Shashi Tharoor’s poignant metaphor points to underlying issues, while Mahua Moitra and Nishikant Dubey raise concerns about socio-economic ramifications and governance. These discussions reiterate a call for more substantial and visionary economic solutions aligned with the aspirations of the Indian populace.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
