PANAJI: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Amit Patkar on Sunday criticised the Union Budget 2026–27, calling it “visionless and anti-people” and alleging that it once again ignores the interests of smaller states such as Goa.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget in the Lok Sabha earlier today.
In a statement following the presentation, Patkar said the Budget fails to address India’s core economic challenges, including inflation, unemployment, and rural distress, and offers little relief to ordinary citizens. “This Budget offers no real relief to common citizens, no credible roadmap for employment generation, and completely neglects smaller states like Goa,” he said.
Patkar highlighted that rising prices of essential commodities, fuel, education, and healthcare remain unaddressed, leaving the middle class, salaried employees, pensioners, and economically weaker sections under continued financial strain.
“The government has chosen optics over people, while ordinary citizens continue to struggle with inflation and rising costs,” he added.
He said the growing unemployment crisis, particularly among educated youth, has also been ignored. “There is no concrete employment strategy, no expansion of public sector recruitment, and no confidence for job-seeking young Indians,” Patkar said.
The GPCC president said farmers and rural communities were once again let down, citing the absence of a legal guarantee for minimum support price, inadequate measures to reduce input costs, and limited protection from market volatility.
He also pointed out that MSMEs and small businesses, which generate a large share of employment, received no meaningful policy support, easier access to credit, or tax relief. “Small traders and self-employed persons, who generate maximum employment, have been left behind yet again,” Patkar said.
He further questioned the lack of clarity in several Budget announcements. “Many proposals are vague, with no clear funding commitments or timelines, raising serious concerns about transparency and credibility,” he said.
Turning to Goa, Patkar said the state has once again been overlooked despite its tourism-driven economy and environmentally sensitive coastal geography.
“Goa has received step-motherly treatment in the Union Budget, despite being a key tourism state,” he said.
He said tourism, the state’s largest employment generator, has received no dedicated support for revival, infrastructure development, heritage conservation, or international promotion.
Patkar also highlighted the continuing struggles of families affected by the prolonged mining shutdown. “Thousands of Goans impacted by the mining crisis have been forgotten. There is no rehabilitation plan, no compensation, and no employment roadmap,” he said.
He expressed concern over rising unemployment among Goan youth and the lack of state-specific initiatives for skill development, startups, or government recruitment.
Patkar warned that stagnant central transfers, coupled with increasing conditions on funds, are shrinking Goa’s fiscal space and weakening the state’s ability to invest in health, education, and social welfare, undermining cooperative federalism.
Condemning the Budget, Patkar said the Goa Congress would continue to oppose what he described as an anti-people approach and stand with Goans seeking economic justice and inclusive development.
