On Wednesday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the Lok Sabha, responding to discussions on the budget. She meticulously answered each question posed by opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav. Sitharaman noted how Gandhi spoke on multiple issues and referenced martial arts terms like 'grip-control.' Remarkably, he described Jagdambika Pal, who sits on the Speaker's chair, as his party member while labeling Bittu a traitor.
The Finance Minister highlighted Gandhi's undue concerns over AI and data-related matters, clarifying that India incentivizes data centers to keep data within the country, generating jobs for Indian youth. She assured that India is well-equipped for AI missions with a substantial budget of a thousand crore. Her aim is to enhance services for Indian consumers. Calling for patience, she elucidated key topics such as food and fertilizer security.
Discussing food subsidies and processing units, Sitharaman laid out the budget allocation figures, underlining that the food inflation rate was at its lowest. Addressing geopolitical concerns like budget weaponization, she pointed out the opposition's failures in recognizing the government's strategic allocations to tackle these challenges.
Sitharaman asserted that Prime Minister Modi is committed to serving India's interests, questioning the motives of those wanting to sell out the country. She reminded of the 2013 WTO agreement by the opposition, meant to block procurement from farmers and ration distribution from 2017. She argued that, without Modi's leadership in 2014, the poor would have been deprived of essentials. She disclaimed any right for the Opposition Leader to attack the Prime Minister.
She criticized the opposition for connecting India with Pakistan, resulting in suggestions detrimental to Indian farmers and the underprivileged. Referring to Manmohan Singh’s era, she dismissed their current negotiation advice. Echoing Kiren Rijiju's statement, she stated no one capable of selling India has yet been born. Addressing Yadav’s queries, she provided detailed responses.
On the delay of the bullet train project that Yadav criticized, she urged a consult with UBT for delayed land provision increasing costs. High-speed corridors do run through UP, she clarified.
Sitharaman also lauded the inaugural Vande Bharat train connecting Delhi to Varanasi, directly benefiting UP. She announced a significant UP railway budget escalation to 20,000 crores, aiming towards 100,000 crores, encouraging Yadav to base discussions on factual data.
