Finance Minister Rejects Opposition Claims, Emphasizes Fiscal Responsibility
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered a robust defense of the government's fiscal management on Thursday, firmly stating that the Centre's financial resources do not constitute a "free pool of cash that can be used at will." During her reply to the Budget discussion in the Rajya Sabha, she emphasized that every single rupee contributed by taxpayers is meticulously accounted for, with no denial or stoppage of funds to any state or government scheme.
Transparent Fund Release Linked to Ground Delivery
Sitharaman categorically dismissed opposition allegations that funds have been arbitrarily slashed, explaining that their release is directly connected to tangible delivery on the ground. "Earlier, success was measured by how much money was pushed out without ensuring actual spending," she noted, highlighting that this approach created significant financial inefficiencies. "We now maintain absolute transparency. We do not blindly release funds merely to book expenditure; we release them only when required at the ground level."
India's Robust Economic Trajectory Highlighted
The Finance Minister painted an optimistic picture of India's economic health, describing the nation as being on a robust growth trajectory characterized by low unemployment rates and an expanding middle class. She pointed to what she termed a "rare macro-economic phase" where elevated growth coexists with low inflation, attributing this achievement to sustained government efforts, strategic planning, timely interventions, and comprehensive reforms.
"Inflation has been effectively tamed due to the stability and proactive measures implemented by our government," Sitharaman asserted, rejecting claims of high inflation as unfounded. "Growth without adequate job creation was a narrative from the UPA era, not the current reality."
Sharp Rebuttal to Opposition Criticism
Sitharaman launched a pointed critique against the Congress party, accusing them of shedding "crocodile tears about rising debt" while simultaneously advocating for increased government borrowing to release more funds to states. "The government cannot borrow excessively; that principle guides our fiscal policy," she declared. "Congress remains obsessed with outlays, but we are committed to ensuring outcomes. We want concrete results, not just expenditure."
Responding to former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram's characterization of the Budget as "forgettable," Sitharaman offered a philosophical retort: "A Budget is never forgetful of the past. We should cherish our glorious history, learn from tarnished chapters, and diligently avoid repeating past mistakes."
State-Specific Allegations and Counterarguments
The Finance Minister also addressed specific regional criticisms, alleging that the Trinamool Congress-led government in West Bengal fails to properly implement welfare schemes financed by the Centre, thereby depriving citizens of entitled benefits. Additionally, she countered DMK claims that no significant announcements were made for poll-bound Tamil Nadu, detailing various Budget proposals specifically designed for the state's development.
These exchanges occurred against the backdrop of continued political sparring in Parliament, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the ruling coalition and opposition parties regarding fiscal priorities and resource allocation.
