Badruddin Ajmal criticizes lack of employment measures, price control & minority welfare
Guwahati, Feb 1: All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) president and former MP Maulana Badruddin Ajmal has strongly criticized the Union Budget 2025-26, calling it a “bundle of repeated promises” that remain unfulfilled.
Reacting to the Union Budget, Ajmal accused the Union government of crafting the budget with an eye on the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar and Delhi, rather than focusing on real economic issues.
Ajmal expressed disappointment over the meagre increase in budget allocation for the minority community, stating that the funds remain largely unutilized. “The allocation has been slightly raised from ₹3,183 crore in 2024-25 to ₹3,350 crore in 2025-26, but the actual spending tells a different story. In 2024-25, out of the ₹3,183 crore allocated, only ₹1,868 crore was utilized. What’s the point of allocations if they are never fully implemented?” he questioned.
The AIUDF chief criticized the budget for lacking a concrete roadmap for employment generation, at a time when unemployment is rising alarmingly. He also pointed out the absence of measures to control inflation, particularly the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities.
“There is no relief in railway or airfares, which directly impact the price hike in essential goods. The government keeps making promises but delivers little in terms of execution,” Ajmal also said.
While criticizing most aspects of the budget, Ajmal welcomed the proposal for a urea plant at Namrup with an annual capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes, calling it a beneficial move for the agricultural sector.
He also appreciated the tax exemption for income up to ₹12 lakh per year, considering it a positive step for the middle class. However, he strongly opposed the hike in GST on agricultural inputs, warning that it would deal a severe blow to farmers already struggling with rising costs.
Ajmal further criticized the budget for ignoring the flood and erosion crisis in Assam, a persistent issue that devastates thousands of lives and livelihoods each year. “Flood and erosion have been a burning issue in Assam, yet the Centre has failed to allocate any significant funds or announce a concrete plan to address it,” he said.
Terming the budget disappointing and election-focused, Ajmal accused the government of prioritizing political gains over economic welfare. He reiterated that without proper implementation of schemes, employment generation, and price control measures, the budget remains a hollow document filled with empty promises.
