‘Modi govt has run out of new ideas’— Congress chief Kharge criticises Union Budget
‘Modi govt has run out of new ideas’— Congress chief Kharge criticises Union Budget
M.U.H
01/02/202615
New Delhi: Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday criticised the proposals, alleging that they fail to address key economic challenges facing the country, offer no relief to vulnerable sections of society, and no solution to unemployment among the youth.
He said the Union Budget lacks fresh thinking and does not provide concrete measures to tackle issues such as inflation, unemployment, declining savings and rising inequality.
Reacting to the budget presented by the PM Modi government, Kharge said, “The Modi government has run out of new ideas. This budget raises more questions than it answers regarding India’s significant economic, social, and political challenges. It offers nothing for the poor. They have not presented any solution, positive suggestion, or concrete steps to control inflation.
Kharge said, adding that weakening domestic demand continues to be ignored. “The Economic Survey indicates that trade uncertainty is a major challenge for India, yet the budget barely acknowledges this problem. Similarly, they have no plan to address the falling value of the rupee… The budget shows no intention of reviving consumer demand. The decline in domestic savings and the increasing burden of personal debt have also been ignored… there is no solution to the widespread unemployment crisis among educated youth. The Finance Commission’s recommendations require further study, but they do not appear to provide any relief to state governments facing serious financial constraints.”
On inequality, Kharge claimed disparities in wealth and income have worsened. “Inequality has surpassed the levels seen during the British Raj. But the budget doesn’t even mention it. Nor have they made any provision for assistance for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, or minorities…”
Earlier today, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27 in Lok Sabha, her ninth consecutive Union Budget.
Asserting that the Union Budget 2026-27 is driven by “Yuvashakti” and based on “three kartavyas,” Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed seven high-speed rail corridors, new dedicated freight corridors, and the operationalisation of 20 national waterways over the next five years as part of the Union Budget.
The Union Budget has outlined a major push for environmentally sustainable passenger transport, proposing the development of seven high-speed rail corridors across key urban and economic centres. These corridors will act as growth connectors, cutting travel time, reducing emissions, and supporting regional development.
The proposed routes include Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Chennai, Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi, and Varanasi-Siliguri. Together, they will link India’s financial hubs, technology centres, manufacturing clusters, and emerging cities through faster, cleaner mobility.
“In order to promote environmentally sustainable passenger systems, we will develop seven high-speed rail corridors between cities as growth connectors, namely Mumbai to Pune, Pune to Hyderabad, Hyderabad to Bengaluru, Hyderabad to Chennai, and Chennai to Bengaluru. Delhi to Varanasi, Varanasi to Siliguri,” the FM said.
The Budget also highlighted eco-tourism and nature-based travel. The Finance Minister said, “India has the potential and opportunity to offer world-class trekking and hiking experience.” The government will develop sustainable mountain trails in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in Araku Valley in the Eastern Ghats and Pudigai Malai in the Western Ghats.
