news from the cpi(m)
February 26, 2010
Press Statement
Union Budget 2010: Pro-Rich and Anti-People
The Union Budget 2010 presented by the UPA Government will neither
stimulate growth nor bring down inflation. The Budget is premised upon a
flawed strategy to meet the budget deficit by increasing indirect taxes
across the board, especially on diesel and petrol, which will hit the
common people, primarily the poorer sections. In contrast, direct taxes on
the affluent sections have been reduced. This anti-people strategy will
further fuel inflation in the backdrop of an already high food inflation
rate of 20%.
As per the Finance Minister's own estimates, there will be a revenue loss
of Rs. 26000 crore in 2010-11 due to the direct tax concessions doled out
to high-income earners as well as real estate developers, hoteliers and
other commercial establishments. This comes in the backdrop of nearly Rs.
80000 crore tax concessions to corporates in 2009-10. In contrast, the
Finance Minister has proposed to raise an additional Rs. 60000 crore in
indirect taxes over the last year. The most objectionable aspect of the
increase in indirect taxes has come in the form of a 5% increase in
customs duty on crude petroleum along with a Re. 1 per litre increase in
central excise duty on petrol and diesel. Raising the prices of diesel and
petrol will further fuel all round inflation in the economy.
On the expenditure side, while there is a 15% increase in Central Plan
expenditure, the increase in Central Assistance for the States is merely
8%, which implies a squeeze in real terms (the nominal GDP growth rate is
12.2%). The Budget also incorporates the recommendations of the 13th
Finance Commission for only 32% share of the States in sharable central
taxes against the demand to allocate 50%. On elementary education the
paltry increase of Rs. 5000 crore falls far short of the requirement of
universalizing the Right to Education. The Central Plan outlays for
agriculture, irrigation and rural development shows stagnation in real
terms, reflecting the Government's waning commitment towards the rural
population.
It is also shocking that food subsidy has been reduced by over Rs. 400
crore despite the commitment to enact a food security legislation.
Fertiliser subsidy has also been cut by a whopping Rs. 3000 crore from
what was spent last year. These moves to reduce subsidies in the name of
targetting comes at a time when inflation is galloping and agricultural
output growth has become negative. The anti-people approach of the
Government in reducing subsidies was laid bare in the Economic survey,
which has prescribed the dismantling of the PDS and initiating a "coupon
system" for food and fertilisers.
The Finance Minister has announced a Rs. 40000 crore disinvestment
programme for 2010-11, following Rs 25000 crore disinvestment earnings in
2009-10. This has been justified in the Budget speech as "unlocking" the
value of the CPSEs. However, the latest Public Enterprises Survey 2008-09
clearly shows that the market capitalization of all listed CPSEs taken
together fell by 27.41% between 31st March 2008 and 31st March 2009. The
Finance Minister is therefore resorting to a specious defence of
disinvestment, which is solely meant to appease the stock market
speculators. The announcement that the RBI will issue bank licenses to
more private sector players including non-bank finance companies reflect
its intent towards further liberalisation of the financial sector.
The Polit Bureau of the CPI (M) calls for the withdrawal of the indirect
tax proposals which will fuel inflation and adversely affect the people.
The increase in petrol and diesel prices to the tune of over Rs. 2.50 per
litre must be summarily rescinded. The cuts in food and fertiliser subsidy
also need to be reversed. The Polit Bureau calls upon all its Party units
to launch protest actions against the anti-people proposals of the Budget.
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