Sitharaman Rebuts Opposition's Allegations of Discrimination in Union Budget

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman refuted opposition claims of bias in the Union Budget, emphasizing that non-mention of states does not imply neglect. She cited previous Congress-led UPA budgets and underscored the significant support provided to Jammu and Kashmir, job creation, and inflation management.

Amidst heated exchanges in Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman rebuffed accusations from opposition members alleging regional discrimination in the Union Budget. Sitharaman argued that the omission of state names did not translate to a lack of funding or projects for those states.

Opposition leaders claimed the budget favored Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, accusing the government of neglecting other states. Denouncing these claims, Sitharaman cited examples from the UPA era, where budgets similarly lacked state-specific mentions yet ensured equitable fund distribution.

Addressing various criticisms, she highlighted the government's efforts in job creation, farmer welfare, and managing inflation. Sitharaman criticized the opposition for spreading misinformation and launched a defense against personal attacks, particularly regarding her educational background.

(With inputs from agencies.)