People's Democracy

 AIAWU On Budget 2005-06

THE All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) welcomes the Budget 2005-06 presented by the finance minister in parliament.

There is a significant change in the approach of the budget towards the basic issues of the common people. The budget, to a certain extent, is a reflection of the aspirations of the people who had voted the UPA government to power. The BJP-led NDA government’s anti-people and pro-rich neo-liberal economic policies were one of the major causes that led to the rejection of that regime by the people of this country.

Although the emphasis given for employment generation, rural infrastructure development and social sectors is appreciable, we feel that that the government should ensure the implementation of these proposals at the earliest and see that the benefit reaches to the grass roots level people.

The AIAWU is also apprehensive about the proposed increase in the prices of petrol and diesel. This will result in the escalation of prices of the essential commodities. Also, the proposal for crop diversification may not help the best interest of the nation, as this might be risky for food security. Even though the Employment Guarantee Scheme is principally agreed, it is noted that neither adequate funds have been earmarked in the budget nor any direction given to widen the areas for implementation of the scheme.

The AIAWU therefore while welcoming the good aspects of the budget requests the government to take immediate steps to rectify the lacunae.