Oppn slams govt for 'anti-people, directionless' Union Budget

The government today came under sharp attack from Opposition which rubbished the Union Budget 2013-14 as "anti-people and directionless" and asked it to have a rethink on ways to bring the economy back on tracks.
Initiating the debate on the Union Budget in Lok Sabha, Murli Manohar Joshi (BJP) said while government is concentrating on increasing the GDP considering it as the sole indicator of development, it was ignoring other related issues like jobs, health care, education and security for the people.
"New thinking is required. Old solutions would not help. The entire system will have to be reframed...You may not get the opportunity to do that. Some person sitting this side may get the chance," he said.

Terming GDP as a jugglery of statistics, he said Finance Minister P Chidambaram's statement on Union Budget was "devoid" of values. "It was a hollow statement...It can be made by a chartered accountant...Rise from the role of CA and become a Finance Minister," he said.
Referring to the Budget speech of Chidambaram, Joshi said the Finance Minister had pointed out that some states were developing leaving behind women, tribals and minorities.
The BJP leader also called for a "national consensus" on economic objectives of the country and said there was need to rise above political lines to achieve the objective.

In an oblique reference to CAG, Joshi said the role of the auditor is very important and it should not be decried.

He also took a jibe at the government for the direct benefit transfer scheme saying the aim was to get votes in return for cash.
Joshi said the farm loan waiver scheme was used as a "political tool" and wherever it was implemented, Congress gained seats.
He was also critical of the government for reducing funds for road projects, saying development of infrastructure should not be limited to airports and industries.