Congress Leader Questions Effectiveness of Uttar Pradesh's Budget Allocations
Congress legislative party leader in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Aradhana Mishra, delivered a sharp critique of the state's budgetary practices on Friday, arguing that allocations are meaningless without effective utilization of funds.
Budget Size Versus Actual Spending
Aradhana Mishra emphasized that the government's record-sized budgets appear impressive on paper but fall short in actual implementation. "Govt's record-sized budgets are high on projection but low on actual spending," she stated bluntly.
She provided specific data to support her claims, noting that the budget for 2025–26 exceeded Rs 8.8 lakh crore, supplemented by additional outlays, yet actual expenditure remained below 50% by February of that fiscal year. Mishra questioned the rationale behind increasing outlays annually if core sectors—such as those linked to farmers, health, and villages—cannot effectively spend their allocated budgets.
Concerns Over Revenue Projections and Youth Employment
Mishra also flagged significant concerns regarding revenue projections, suggesting they may be overly optimistic. She accused the government of betraying the youth by failing to provide adequate employment opportunities.
"Contractual jobs, with meagre wages of Rs 8,000–12,000 a month, limited security and social protection are of little help to youth," she asserted. Mishra called for a clear policy that guarantees permanent jobs with dignified pay scales, arguing that current practices do not support the state's younger population adequately.
Criticism of MGNREGA Implementation
Further extending her critique, Mishra addressed the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Uttar Pradesh. She alleged that changes in funding patterns and low wage rates have weakened rural income support mechanisms.
This criticism highlights broader issues in how social welfare programs are managed, with Mishra suggesting that without proper execution, even well-intentioned allocations fail to deliver meaningful benefits to communities.
In summary, Aradhana Mishra's statements underscore a call for greater accountability and effectiveness in budgetary spending, alongside reforms in employment policies and social program implementation to better serve Uttar Pradesh's residents.
