Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM will observe July 9 as a protest day against the Union Budget and anti-public policies of the union government. The CPM state secretariat in a statement observed that Union Budget 2019 would burden the poor while providing benefits to the ultra-rich.
In the Union Budget, Modi government has taken efforts to persevere during the financial crisis. Corporates were given huge concessions. The centre is trying to find funds by selling off shares of public sector establishments.
Kerala was completely ignored. No projects were announced for rebuilding Kerala after the devastating floods of 2018. The centre did not pay heed to Kerala’s demand to increase the limit on availing loans.
More tax has been imposed on the general public. There should be more protests against such decisions. The CPM state secretariat sought to organise protests and public meetings at regional level in protest of the government’s anti-public policies.
Farmers and labourers struggling to make ends meet were not considered by the government. Funds for development of women was reduced to 4.9 percent from 5.1 percent. The price hike of petrol and diesel will lead to inflation. Funds for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was reduced by Rs 1000 crore.
Social development sector has been completely commercialised. All labour laws will be reworked into four codes. The government has opened the country as a market where corporates and foreign investors can make profit from.
The story is no different in rail and road development. Kerala’s demands for AIIMS and coach factory were not considered. The Budget did not feature a single project that would aid Kerala’s development, the CPM said.
