Common man’s aspirations sidelined: Cong

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 28

The Congress today termed the Union Budget as directionless and pro-corporate and said the BJP-led NDA government had completely sidelined the hopes and aspirations of the common man.

Chief spokesperson of the state Congress Naresh Chauhan said the rise in service tax from 12.36 to 14 per cent would lead to increase in prices of essential commodities, thereby directly affecting the general public and hike in the education cess would also adversely affect low-income groups.

“The Central Government had also ignored the interests of unemployed youth, farmers, women, small traders and working class by not announcing schemes for their welfare,” he said.