New Delhi
On Wednesday, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri criticized the Congress party for accusing the Union Budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, of plagiarism. He condemned Congress for its history of inefficiency and said the party left behind a legacy of stagnation that has taken decades to address.
Puri responded to Congress’s claim that the employment schemes in the 2024-25 Budget were copied from the party’s manifesto, pointing out that Congress’s employment-linked incentive proposal was vaguely defined and only offered tax credits for corporates adding jobs. In contrast, the NDA government’s proposal is detailed and action-oriented.
Congress leaders, including former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, had criticized the Budget as unoriginal and a sarkar bachaao effort. Puri countered by noting that Congress’s famous Garibi Hatao slogan did not lead to real poverty alleviation, whereas significant progress is being made under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s NDA government.
He explained that the 2024-25 Budget includes a comprehensive incentive framework funded by the government, aimed at increasing employment. This includes schemes for first-time employees, the manufacturing sector, and additional jobs across all industries. Puri emphasized that the NDA government’s approach is far more structured and effective compared to the vague proposals of Congress.
