Budget an example of ‘half-federalism’, ‘reverse Robin Hood’: Abhishek in LS
Times of India | 8 February 2025
Kolkata: The Union Budget was an example of "half-federalism" and a "reverse form of Robin Hood", Trinamool general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said in Parliament on Friday, adding that the economy had already been handed over to the "Ravanas of crony capitalism" while the common man struggled to afford "even a simple movie night".
Banerjee said he had coined the term "half-federalism" to describe the current state of affairs in the country. "In Bihar, BJP's ally JD(U) has 12 seats, which means BJP has 12 MPs in Bihar. In Bengal, BJP has 12 MPs. BJP is in office in Bihar and BJP is not in office in Bengal. So, Bihar gets a bonanza and Bengal gets a blockade. This is ‘half-federalism'."
The MP questioned the need for multiple layers of taxation. "As a citizen of India, you earn, you pay tax. You spend, you pay tax. You buy, you pay tax. You sell, you pay tax. And then you pay tax on things that are already taxed from the money that was already taxed," he said.
"The Budget presented by NDA govt is a masterclass in half-truths, half-accountability, half-delivery of schemes and half-hearted governance. From half-built houses under PMAY to half-achieved farmer income targets, govt continues to sell dreams while delivering only fragments of reality," Banerjee added.
The Trinamool neta said central policies "resembled the tale of a reverse Robin Hood". "We know the story of Robin Hood — taking from the rich and giving to the poor. BJP has mastered the art of taking from the poor and giving to the wealthy elite. For instance, waiving corporate loans worth thousands of crores using taxpayers' money is being done while poor farmers struggling with debts are left to suffer. Govt claims to have no money to increase subsidies on essential commodities, yet it slashes corporate tax rates, giving billionaires an even bigger slice of the pie. This is not economic justice. This is economic favouritism at its worst," Banerjee said.
"So while corporates enjoy free reign, the common man is taxed as they fight for their own lives. This is not reform; this is a rigged game where the poor and the downtrodden are deliberately made to lose. Instead of strengthening govt hospitals, this govt prioritises private insurance," he added.
Dubbing it a Bangla Birodhi (anti-Bengal) Budget, Banerjee said: "Not a single meaningful financial allocation has been made for the state of Bengal. Rs 1.7 lakh crore is still due to the state of Bengal under various heads. This is a deliberate financial blockade and a calculated move to stifle Bengal's growth, prosperity and development. Bengal's pending due on MGNREGA to the tune of Rs 7,000 crore still remains unpaid, depriving 59 lakh poor workers," he said.
Banerjee said while central govt proudly proclaimed no tax for incomes up to Rs 12 lakh, behind the scenes, they silently ensured lost revenue was recovered through rising fuel prices, inflated service charges and hidden taxes on daily essentials. "Just as in Ramayana, by the time people realised and recognised the deception, the economy was already handed over to the Ravanas of crony capitalism; while the common man is left struggling to afford groceries, fuel, travel, healthcare and even a simple movie night. All while being taxed for merely just existing," said the Trinamool MP.
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