Speech of P.Wilson MP made in the Parliament on 7.8.2024 on the Appropriation Bill 2024 and J&K Bill Appropriation Bill
Thank you, ice Chairman Sir for allowing me to speak on appropriation Bills.
Hon’ble finance minister, The budget 2024-2025 presented is not for the upliftment of the people or country; it is for the survival of your government and to please the coalition parties. Tamil Nadu has received nothing from the budget because the BJP received nothing from the state of Tamil Nadu.
It is a vengeful budget to punish the People of Tamilnadu.
No allocation of funds for CMRL, NDRF and important projects in Tamilnadu. Madam You have ignored people of Tamilnadu
The Union Budgets decisions and their impacts shows the broken promises neglect of disabled and elderly . There is a decreasing allocations to crucial sectors such as food, social security, health, and education etc. which has made the Union Government intentions clear which is nothing but anti people .
For every one rupee we pay from the state of Tamil Nadu, we are receiving 26 paisa from coffers of Union Government despite huge contribution to union.
The Union cabinet on December 24, 2019, had approved the proposal for conducting census of India 2021 at a cost of ₹8,754.23 crore and updating the National Population Register (NPR) at a cost of ₹3,941.35 crore.
However the budget for Census 2021 has been reduced from ₹3,768 crore in 2021-22 to ₹1,309 crore in 2024-25. This indicates government intention that no welfare measures should reach the downtrodden.
The conduct of caste census was lastly done in 1931. No caste census is taken for about 93 years because of which the rightful share of OBC,SC,ST are denied.
OBC, SC, ST communities’ amount to almost 90 percent of the total population in the country. The government is not showing any interest in conducting caste census and increase reservation for OBC, SC, ST communities in proportion to the increase in their population.
We have seen how caste survey in Bihar has been struck down by the court and that is the reason we are asking for a Caste Census.
The creamy layer law is brought to destroy the reservations and should be stopped by proper legislation.
Sir so far as the FOOD is concerned,
The share of the budgeted expenditure for food subsidy distributed through the public distribution system (PDS) has declined from 6.61 percent in 2019–20 to 4.25 percent in the present budget.
Sir so far as SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROTECTION SCHEME is concerned,
The monthly pension disbursed by the Union Government has remained stagnant at INR 200 for the elderly (since 2007) and INR 300 for women and persons with disabilities since 2011. State governments are covering the shortfall by paying approximately 5 to 10 times more from their own budgets to ensure adequate pension amounts.
The National Pension System (NPS) allows citizens to save for retirement. However, withdrawing more than 60% of the NPS corpus incurs taxes. This policy unfairly targets retirees who need access to their full savings.
Sir Alarming Demographics: By 2036, 15% of India’s population will be aged 60 or older, increasing the number of people with disabilities. Yet, the outdated data from the 2011 census hinders effective budget allocation and policymaking.
Sir Despite the growing elderly population, the budget for disability welfare programs is continuously cut. The 2021 census postponement exacerbates the situation, leaving the needs of people with disabilities unmet.
Sir so far as EDUCATION is concerned,
The combined allocation to the Ministry of Education in 2024-25 stands at INR 1,20,628 crore, 2.5 percent of the total budget and 0.37 percent of GDP. Though we are against the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 it recommends at least 6 percent of GDP.
A sum of Rs 2847.60 crores is due under the Samagra Shikha Scheme to the State of Tamilnadu and Union Govt is compelling us to sight agreement accepting the National Education Policy and they are refusing to release it. I request that the amount to be released.
HEALTH CARE
The allocation to the Ministry of Health declined from 2.16 percent of the budget in 2019-20 to 1.88 percent in 2024-25. The National Health Policy sets a target of 2.5 percent of GDP for healthcare spending, but the current allocation is only 0.27 percent.
Sir so far as DISABILITY WELFARE is concerned,
The allocation for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act has been slashed year after year. From ₹240.39 crore in 2022-23 to ₹150 crore in 2023-24, and a further reduction to ₹135.33 crore in 2024-25.
Sir I will highlight about Missed Targets: Launched in 2015, the Accessible India Campaign aimed to make public spaces accessible for people with disabilities. The goal was to retrofit 1,484 buildings, but by 2021-22, only 577 buildings across 20 states were completed. The campaign’s original targets remain unmet, leaving many inaccessibilities
MIDDLE-CLASS
Sir, The Finance Minister’s announcement of a Rs 25,000 standard deduction and Rs 17,500 annual tax savings translates to just Rs 48 per day. This paltry sum is hardly a relief for the tax-paying middle class, who sustain the nation’s economy.
This is hardly a relief for the tax-paying middle class.
SECURITY TRANSACTION TAX
Sir, The government imposes a 0.1% Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on each equity transaction. Despite the reintroduction of LTCG at 10% in 2018, the LTCG rate recently increased to 12.5%, with STT still in place. This double tax burden affects retirees and the middle class, especially those who saved in mutual funds or shares for retirement.
Sir I will speak about PROJECTS IN TAMILNADU
Several National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) projects in Tamil Nadu are falling behind schedule. At least 34 NHAI projects are delayed in State of Tamil Nadu because of want of fund allocation.
The Chenglepet Integrated Vaccine Complex in Tamilnadu , with investment of 900 crores already spent and inaugurated in 2017, is yet to produce a single vaccine due to intervention by business competitors in the same trade and Union government should not be a party to delay. We have given 100 acres to this Vaccination center but we don’t have any return from this.
One important aspect which I would request Hon’ble finance Minister through you sir is that the NCLT and NCLAT in Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code needs to be scrapped as there is huge corruption is seen in NCLT and NCLAT. The powers can be given to the High courts.
Sir so far as the The Prevention of Money Laundering Act is concerned the entire act required to be re-looked as it has been misused and abused as it it used against the opposition parties and therefore PMLA requires a re-look.
Therefore so far as Budget is concerned sir, I will sum of that it fails to address Lack of employment fails to address opportunities in the country, high inflation rate, increase in black money, corruption and high diesel, petrol, oil prices even after reduction in global oil prices.
It’s time for accountability and a re-evaluation of priorities to ensure a fair and inclusive future for all.
Lastly one request. The Banking license for Namakkal district central cooperative bank is pending with RBI. I request to the Hon’ble finance minister to clear that.
