The CPI(M) has condemned the Union Budget for 2025-26 for its “betrayal” of the people of Puducherry.
In a statement, S. Ramachandran, State secretary of the CPI(M) in Puducherry, said there was nothing in the Budget to vindicate all the tall claims made about ushering in “BEST” Puducherry if the people elected a “double-engine” government (BJP at the Centre and the UT) during the campaigning in the 2021 Assembly elections.
According to the CPI (M), the Budget does not care at all about the severe unemployment, industrial slowdown, livelihood of farmers and fishermen, and the welfare of informal workers. Furthermore, there is no announcement of infrastructure funds for Puducherry city, which is suffering from heavy traffic congestion, nor any announcement of modernising and reopening sugar mills or technology park. In fact, “Puducherry” never figured in the Finance Minister’s budget speech, the CPM said.
The Union Government’s financial assistance to Puducherry has been increased by only Rs. 42 crore—from the Rs. 3384 crore in 2023 to Rs. 3427 crore in 2025. Although in relation to other Union Territories, Puducherry has a larger population in terms of area, it had been given half the allocation to other places like Andaman and Nicobar Island (Rs. 6212 crore) and Chandigarh (Rs. 6187 crore), the party said.
Pointing out that the Centre was yet to release assistance for those affected by Cyclone Fengal, Mr. Ramachandran panned Chief Minister N. Rangasamy for extending praise to Union Finance Minister and Prime Minister and fool the very people the Budget had completely ignored.
The CPI (M) called upon the public to support its campaign to condemn the “anti-people” Budget which failed to address not one of Puducherry’s many problems and press for additional funding and cancellation of legacy loans.
Published – February 02, 2025 11:13 pm IST