'Useless ritual as President address': Congress MP Manish Tewari on Union budget process

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Manish Tewari criticized the budget process on Saturday, calling it a 'useless ritual.

In a post on X, Tewari said the budget has become an annual ritual for the finance minister, similar to the President's address.

"What is a budget? It is nothing more than an accounting exercise. How much did Government earn and how much did it spend. Over the years it has evolved into an annual grandstanding ritual for the Finance Minister. It is as useless a ritual as the President address, Tewari said.



He suggested that instead of a detailed presentation, the government could simply submit its income and expenditure statement in Parliament. "The income and expenditure statement of the government can just be laid on the floor of the house," he posted.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore urged the government to change its policy, saying that the wealthy are becoming richer while the middle class is struggling.

"We all know that India's economy is in a different stage now. Employment numbers are going down and urban spending has also gone down. The super-rich are getting super money while middle-class people are suffering. We expect that the govt will change its policy and address the people's pain," he said.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday is set to present her eighth consecutive Budget, which she will deliver from a digital tablet enclosed in a traditional 'bahi-khata' style pouch.

On Friday, the Economic Survey presented in Parliament projected India's economic growth between 6.3 per cent and 6.8 per cent for the financial year 2025-26.



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