On February 1, the NDA government presented their interim budget for 2019-20 FY. It was presented by Finance Minister Piyush Goyal in a 100-minute long speech, which is quite long for an interim budget. The budget
is termed as a gift to the hard working Indians by the Modi government. Farmers were in focus for the Modi government after the electoral setback in three states in 2018. Opposition is terming the interim budget as a fake hope for the people and claiming that the government is trying hide their failures by announcing populist schemes. The budget has been carefully crafted keeping in mind the 2019 elections.
What’s In The Budget ?
The biggest criticism towards this government is on the agrarian grounds. Many claim that this government has failed to execute agricultural reforms in the country. Farmer suicide rate is still high and the income is not doubled till now. A major farmer protest was also seen last year against this government. So, to remove the tag of anti-farmer regime, the Modi government has introduced Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, which will give the farmers Rs. 6,000 yearly in three installments.
The first installment will reach the farmers on March 31, well before the general elections. This support scheme comes due to reduced farmer income, which can be one of the reasons for BJP’s electoral setback in three states. Opposition has criticised this move by saying that this is an insult to farmer’s hard work by just giving Rs. 17 per day.
The government is trying to undo the loss procured by the farmers during demonetisation through this scheme.
Workers in informal sector were also gifted with a scheme, which will benefit them directly, named Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan scheme.
According to this scheme, workers in the informal sector will get pension of Rs. 3,000 per month. Workers getting Rs. 15,000 monthly will be eligible for this scheme. Middle class was also given a big relief in tax. Tax slab has now been increased to Rs. 5 Lakh, meaning people earning less than Rs 5. lakh annually are now free from paying income tax. This move was expected from the government as the talks for increasing income tax slab has been going around for the last few years. These schemes are the major highlight of this budget, which appears to be populist in nature.
Can It Help The Government Win Again?
This budget targets two of the most important vote banks of our country, farmers and workers. Farmers can directly influence many seats and this government has thrown their last card to appease farmers. If the farmer distress can be reduced through this budget then it will surely help the Modi Government script a comeback.
Middle class voters are happy after the announcement of increase in tax slab to Rs. 5 lakh. If the government ensures that the majority of middle class vote and farmer vote goes to it then they can win the 2019 elections. Opposition needs to counter this budget with their alternative vision and what can they do for the farmers and middle class if they come to power.
The government has played their card to win the 2019 elections through this budget, giving everyone benefits of growing economy. They have promised for more in upcoming years if they return to power. PM Modi termed this budget as the budget of ‘New India’ and hailed the budget for benefiting all strata of society. But it remains to be seen
whether the government manages to undo the damage done by demonetisation and hasty implementation of GST.
All the strata of society were taken care of during this budget but it won’t benefit them directly in the next three months. Voters will try to analyse the government’s work in the last five years through all the promises kept. It’s difficult to tell whether an interim budget will be able to help them win another term. If the Modi government needs to win, they cannot rely on one budget and will have to show their last five years’ work. Voters will also not rely on one budget and judge the government’s work of five years.
The post Will The Interim Budget Help The NDA Script A Victory In 2019 Elections? appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz and is a copyright of the same. Please do not republish.