PANAJI
South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes has strongly criticised the 2024 Union Budget, calling it “a very directionless budget” and dubbing it the “Andhra - Bihar mini budget” for the NDA government’s survival. He expressed disappointment over the lack of incentives for states governed by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), stating, “There is total neglect on education, health, and other crucial public services.”
Capt Fernandes also criticised the tourism focus on selected sites in Bihar and Odisha, ignoring other regions. He raised concerns about the absence of food security measures, especially given India’s poor ranking of 111 on the Global Hunger Index. “There is no mention of food security despite India ranking 111 on the global hunger index,” he remarked.
Additionally, he highlighted the budget’s failure to address children’s welfare, stating, “Not even once was any mention of children made, despite children facing malnutrition and comprising 19% of the population.”
