Shatrughan Sinha questioned whether there was any provision for health insurance for everyone, expressing concern about broader healthcare coverage.
Expressing scepticism about the budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha asserted on Thursday that the budget is ‘futuristic’ and there is nothing for today and everything is for 2047.
“The budget is futuristic. Everything is for 2047 but what is there for today? You talk about four sections: women, poor, farmers, and the youth. What have you done for them? Does this budget say anything about increasing employment or doubling farmer’s income?” the Asansol MP asked.
Expressing satisfaction with the healthcare budget and the vaccination initiative for girls, Mr Sinha remarked that “it is good that girls aged 9-14 years will receive free vaccination to prevent cervical cancer”. However, he questioned whether there was any provision for health insurance for everyone, expressing concern about broader healthcare coverage.
Even as Union Ministers hailed the Union Budget tabled by Union Finance Minister on Thursday as an ‘inclusive budget’, it drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders who dubbed it an ‘election budget’.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the interim budget is merely a financial web to trap people.
“The interim budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman failed to meet the expectations of the countrymen,” said Mr Sukhu.
Lashing out at the Centre, Mr Sukhu said, “There was no mention of the expansion of the rail network for the state. There is also no mention of any rapid mass transit system for hilly states like Himachal, where metro rail cannot be started.”