Hooda Condemns Union Budget 2026-27 as Hollow and Disappointing for Haryana
In a sharp critique from Rohtak, Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda has labeled the Union Budget 2026-27 as discriminatory towards Haryana, describing it as completely hollow and disappointing. He asserted that Haryana was left empty-handed in the financial plan, with no relief provided for the common man, farmers, labourers, and villagers across the state.
Budget Fails to Address Inflation and Tax Concerns
Hooda emphasized that this budget has utterly failed to meet the expectations of ordinary citizens. "Nothing was done to provide relief from inflation, and no exemption was given in income tax," he stated. He further highlighted the ambiguity surrounding cryptocurrency taxation, noting that while taxes are being collected on it, the government has not clarified its legal status, leaving investors and users in a state of confusion.
Significant Cuts in Education and Health Expenditure
The opposition leader pointed to alarming reductions in critical sectors. "Looking at the percentage of GDP spent on education, after the removal of the cess in 2002-03, the total expenditure was 2.3 percent, which has now decreased to only 1.1 percent—less than half," he explained. Similarly, in health, the target of spending 2.5 percent of GDP set in 2017 has fallen below 1 percent, indicating severe budget cuts that could undermine public welfare.
Farmers Ignored and MGNREGA Under Threat
Hooda accused the central government of completely ignoring farmers in the budget. "There is neither any provision for loan waiver nor any arrangement to fix the Minimum Support Price (MSP) according to the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission," he pointed out. He warned that preparations are underway to dismantle MGNREGA, which he described as a direct attack on the rights of Dalits, backward classes, and rural populations, as it serves as a major support system for rural employment and poverty alleviation.
Revenue and Capital Expenditure Declines
He detailed concerning financial trends, noting that revenue expenditure decreased by ₹75,168 crore, while capital expenditure saw massive cuts—₹25,335 crore at the central level and ₹1,19,041 crore at the state level. The central government's capital expenditure as a percentage of GDP fell from 3.2 percent to 3.1 percent, a poor performance that was not mentioned in the budget speech, according to Hooda.
Budget Reflects Anti-People Policies
In his concluding remarks, Hooda stated that this budget is proof of the BJP's anti-people policies. "The common man is struggling with inflation, unemployment, and economic crisis, but the central government only paid lip service," he noted. He asserted that the budget was prepared by ignoring the interests of Haryana and the entire country, failing to address the pressing issues faced by citizens.
