GUWAHATI, July 26 - The Congress today termed the Budget as a disappointment for the masses, pointing out that certain core issues remained vague.
Reacting to the Budget, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Debobrata Saikia said that the Finance Minister did not mention whether some of the welfare schemes that had been initiated a couple of years back would be continued or not.
Saikia, who is also the Leader of the Opposition, said that while certain departments got more attention, some others were neglected.
Deputy leader of CLP Rakibul Hussain said that essential items had been taxed and despite request for withdrawing the VAT on more than 100 items, the Government was yet to take any step in this regard.
Hussain wondered if taxation became the main duty of this Government, how could people expect to see the changes they had been promised.
On the other hand, Hussain also voiced his disappointment over the Government�s proposal to present laptop under the Anundoram Borooah Awards only to students securing star marks and above in the HSLC and High Madrassa exams.
Hussain said that the initiative of laptop distribution to all first division holders had created a competitive ambience in the State encouraging the students to study hard. �Now this competitive environment will get affected,� said Hussain.
The CLP has assured that it would cooperate with the Government for implementation of all schemes that would benefit the masses.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Assam Pradesh, has welcomed the first Budget of the BJP-led Government as pro-people, strong and a spectacular initiative to realize the clauses of the party�s Vision Document.
President in-charge Shantanu Bharali said that the proposals for developing rural Assam at an estimated Rs 30,000 crore would revolutionize the living and livelihood options in the villages.
Bharali further said that the development proposals in the Budget had given it strength and mileage in the history of budgets in the state.
The AIUDF describing the Budget as an unconventional one said that the Government should have given importance to minority welfare and development of Barak Valley.
The AGP welcoming the Budget said that it is an attempt to fulfill the promises made to the electorate during the election.
