Opposition Criticizes Budget, Highlights Inequality and Weakening of Rights

Opposition slams budget, citing extreme inequality and erosion of rights.

Photo by Ravi Sharma

The opposition has strongly criticized the government's budget, alleging that it exacerbates inequality and weakens the rights of marginalized communities. They claim the budget favors the privileged, neglecting the needs of the poor and vulnerable. Specific concerns include inadequate allocations for social welfare programs and policies that undermine civil liberties. The opposition vows to challenge these measures and advocate for a more equitable and just society.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper 2: Polity and Governance - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

GS Paper 3: Economy - Government Budgeting.

Connects to syllabus topics like Fiscal Policy, Social Justice, and Constitutional Provisions.

Potential question types: Statement-based, Analytical questions on budget impact, Critical evaluation of government policies.

Visual Insights

Opposition Criticism of Budget 2026

Key concerns raised by the opposition regarding the budget.

Allegation: Exacerbates Inequality: IncreasedN/A
Allegation: Weakening of Rights: Decreased ProtectionN/A
Concern: Inadequate Social Welfare Allocations: InsufficientN/A

More Information

Background

The budget is a crucial tool for any government to implement its policies and achieve its economic and social goals. It reflects the government's priorities and its approach to addressing the challenges facing the nation. The process of budget making in India is governed by Article 112 of the Constitution, which mandates the presentation of an Annual Financial Statement before the Parliament. The budget-making process involves several stages, including the preparation of estimates by various ministries and departments, scrutiny by the Ministry of Finance, and approval by the Cabinet. The budget is then presented to the Parliament, where it is debated and voted upon. The Parliament has the power to modify or reject the budget proposals. The Finance Bill, which contains the tax proposals, is also an integral part of the budget. Historically, budgets in India have evolved from being primarily statements of revenue and expenditure to becoming comprehensive policy documents that outline the government's vision for the economy and society. The focus has shifted from mere fiscal accounting to using the budget as a tool for economic planning and social development. Key concepts like fiscal deficit and revenue deficit are closely monitored to assess the health of the economy. The budget also plays a crucial role in addressing inequality and promoting social justice. Governments often use budgetary allocations to fund social welfare programs, such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation schemes. However, the effectiveness of these programs depends on the adequacy of funding, efficient implementation, and proper targeting of beneficiaries. The opposition often scrutinizes the budget to assess its impact on different sections of society and to highlight any potential biases or shortcomings.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been increasing emphasis on making the budget more transparent and accountable. The government has taken steps to improve the quality of budget information and to enhance public participation in the budget-making process. The use of technology has also been promoted to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of budget management. Institutions like NITI Aayog play a key role in shaping the budget priorities. However, challenges remain in ensuring that the budget effectively addresses the needs of all sections of society. There are concerns about the adequacy of funding for social welfare programs, the efficiency of implementation, and the impact of the budget on inequality. The opposition often raises these concerns and demands greater accountability from the government. Debates around the fiscal responsibility and budget management (FRBM) Act are also common, especially when the government deviates from its targets. The future outlook for the budget is likely to be shaped by several factors, including the state of the economy, the government's policy priorities, and the political landscape. There is a growing recognition of the need to use the budget as a tool for promoting sustainable development and addressing climate change. The budget is also expected to play a key role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The role of the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) in auditing government expenditure and ensuring accountability is also crucial. Furthermore, recent trends show a greater focus on evidence-based budgeting, where allocations are linked to measurable outcomes and performance indicators. This approach aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public spending and to ensure that resources are used in the most impactful way. The budget is also increasingly being used to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, with specific allocations for startups and small businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the constitutional basis for the budget in India?

Article 112 of the Constitution mandates the presentation of an Annual Financial Statement before the Parliament, which forms the basis of the budget.

2. Why is the opposition criticizing the budget?

The opposition is criticizing the budget because they believe it exacerbates inequality, weakens the rights of marginalized communities, and favors the privileged while neglecting the poor and vulnerable.

3. What are some related concepts that are important to understand the budget process and the opposition's concerns?

Understanding concepts like Distributive Justice, Social Welfare Schemes, Fundamental Rights, Fiscal Policy, and Parliamentary Scrutiny of Budget is crucial to grasp the nuances of the budget and the opposition's arguments.

4. How might the budget impact common citizens, according to the opposition?

According to the opposition, the budget could negatively impact common citizens through inadequate allocations for social welfare programs and policies that undermine civil liberties, potentially affecting the poor and vulnerable disproportionately.

5. What role does NITI Aayog play in the budget process, as per the topic data?

Based on the available information, NITI Aayog plays a role in the budget process, though the specifics are not detailed in the provided topic data.

6. What are the government's recent initiatives to improve the budget process?

Recent government initiatives focus on making the budget more transparent and accountable, improving the quality of budget information, enhancing public participation, and promoting the use of technology for efficient budget management.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Union Budget in India: 1. Article 112 of the Constitution mandates the presentation of the Annual Financial Statement before the Parliament. 2. The Finance Bill, which contains the tax proposals, is not an integral part of the budget. 3. The Parliament has the power to modify or reject the budget proposals. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.1 and 3 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is CORRECT: Article 112 of the Constitution indeed mandates the presentation of the Annual Financial Statement before the Parliament. Statement 2 is INCORRECT: The Finance Bill, containing tax proposals, is an integral part of the budget. Statement 3 is CORRECT: The Parliament does have the power to modify or reject the budget proposals.

2. Which of the following statements best describes the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in relation to the Union Budget?

A.The CAG prepares the Union Budget and presents it to the Parliament.
B.The CAG audits the government's expenditure to ensure accountability and compliance with the budget.
C.The CAG approves the budget proposals before they are presented to the Parliament.
D.The CAG advises the government on budget allocations and policy priorities.

Show Answer

Answer: B

The CAG's primary role is to audit the government's expenditure after it has been incurred, ensuring accountability and compliance with the budget. The CAG does not prepare, approve, or advise on budget allocations.

3. Consider the following statements regarding the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act: 1. The FRBM Act aims to ensure fiscal discipline and reduce the fiscal deficit. 2. The FRBM Act mandates the central government to eliminate revenue deficit. 3. The FRBM Act has never been amended since its enactment. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.1 and 2 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The FRBM Act indeed aims to ensure fiscal discipline and reduce the fiscal deficit. Statement 2 is CORRECT: The FRBM Act mandates the central government to eliminate revenue deficit. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: The FRBM Act has been amended multiple times since its enactment.