Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal described the Union Budget presented by the Union Finance Minister, Parnab Mukharji as anti-people, anti-poor, anti-farmers, anti-employees, anti-workers and above all directionless. He said that not a single section of the society have been given any relief in the budget. No step has been taken to reduce the galloping prices but increase in Service tax, Excise duty would result in further price rise thereby crushing the poor people further from onslaught of rising prices. Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal said that to raise minimum income tax limit from Rs. 1.80 lac to Rs. 2 lac was mockery as there has been hike in emoluments in last few years of the employees and other people and also the rising inflationary trends. He said that the prices of almost all commodities will go up.
Chief Minister said that indication by the Union Finance Minister about cut in subsidy in kerosene, LPG and fertilizer was also unfortunate as this will affect the farmers and people from all walks of life.
Prem Kumar Dhumal said that ignoring the Himachal Pradesh’s legitimate demand for restoration of the industrial package was also unfortunate and step motherly treatment with the non UPA ruled States as well as people of Himachal Pradesh, the Union Minister on the other hand had proposed Rs. 500 crores for promotion and application of Geo Textiles in the North-East.
