Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Union Budget, describing it as “underwhelming” and likening it to “rearranging airbags on a crashing car.” Initiating the debate in the Lok Sabha, Tharoor criticized the government for grand announcements that fail to translate into meaningful action, particularly in agriculture and social welfare.

Quoting Mirza Ghalib, he said the real weakness of the Budget lies in execution, adding, “Headline management may sound impressive, but delivery is conspicuously absent.” Tharoor emphasized that promises without commitments, like those in agriculture schemes, offer little hope to farmers, small businesses, and marginalized communities.

Highlighting fiscal discrepancies, he noted chronic under-utilization of allocated funds. “Of over Rs 5 lakh crore budgeted for 53 major schemes last year, barely 41% was spent in nine months. Critical programs like Jal Jeevan Mission and PM Anusuchit Jati Abhyuday Yojana are grossly underfunded in practice,” he said, asserting that such gaps expose the government’s rhetoric as hollow.

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Tharoor further pointed out structural issues, including rising unemployment, stagnant wages, and shrinking welfare spending. He criticized the government for focusing on capital expenditure without addressing real economic insecurity, calling the Budget a missed opportunity to create meaningful pathways toward a “Viksit Bharat.”

He also highlighted concerns with revenue mobilization, tax policy, and disinvestment, noting that the burden has shifted disproportionately to individuals while corporate contributions remain subdued. Tharoor argued that fiscal prudence without fairness or vision leaves India developmentally constrained.

Concluding his remarks, Tharoor emphasized that nation-building requires more than slogans and symbolism. “Turning promises into outcomes is not a favour; it is our kartavya. This Budget offers no credible roadmap to address the aspirations of ordinary citizens or to deliver equitable growth,” he said, calling for a reorientation of policy toward tangible results.

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