Dropout rate among minority children is increasing rapidly: Owaisi

New Delhi, February 11 (UNI) The ruling party members in the Lok Sabha described the Budget 2026-27 as balanced for the country's all-round economic development, while opposition members said that no effective measures have been taken in the budget to create employment.

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) member Arun Bharati, while initiating the discussion on the Budget 2026-27, said that the budget has laid the foundation for a strong economic future of India. He said that the real strength of India's economic power is not multinational companies, but the small and medium-sized factories in the country. He said that the Modi government has broken the tradition of increasing income tax every year and has provided a strong foundation for the country.

Aam Aadmi Party's Dr Raj Kumar Chhabewal said that no step has been taken in the budget to eradicate unemployment. He also raised the issue of the recent trade agreement with the US and asked what was the compulsion that led to the agreement being finalized in a hurry. He said that Rs 12,950 crore of Punjab is pending with the Center and this amount should be released to the Punjab government immediately.

BJP's Suresh Gupta said that a large allocation of Rs 6,80,000 crore has been made for the defense sector in the budget. The budget has been allocated for various ministries to make every class self-sufficient. An unusual fund has been allocated for the energy sector. Trade agreements are being made with various countries for economic development. Several measures have been taken to connect farmers with modern agriculture. Significant changes are being made in the field of sports and programs like 'Khelo India' have been launched. Major measures have also been taken for the improvement of health institutions, tourism, and rehabilitation. He described the budget as revolutionary, saying that important steps have been taken for the benefit of farmers.

Sikkim Krantikari Morcha's Indra Hang Subba described the budget as a reflection of the aspirations of every region and citizen of India. He said that the budget has taken care of all classes. He said that research institutions should be established for all Himalayan states. Emphasizing the need for special attention to be paid to the quality of handicrafts and other products in the North Eastern states, he said that this would lead to an increase in exports.

Azad Samaj Party's Chandrashekhar said that no step has been taken in the budget to solve the problem of unemployment. The burden of inflation is falling on everyone, but no effective action has been taken for this either. He said that the central government is not strengthening the framework of social justice, so students should get timely scholarships and health services should be improved for the benefit of all classes. He said that until everyone gets equal rights, the development of the country is not possible.

Trinamool Congress's Kalyan Banerjee, describing the budget as anti-women, anti-poor, anti-Dalits, anti-tribals, and anti-farmers, said that West Bengal has been completely ignored in it. He said that no amount has been allocated for West Bengal and the welfare of Bengali-speaking people has been ignored. He demanded that the government respond to the SIR and end the injustice being done to the people of Bengal. He also accused the Center of discriminating against non-BJP states and said that the budget for border-related issues has been reduced.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen's Asaduddin Owaisi said that the dropout rate of minority children is increasing rapidly. The dropout rate of minority children in Assam is 30 percent and in West Bengal, it is 40 percent. He said that at least Rs 10,000 crore should be allocated for minority affairs. He said that since the advent of this government, the country has become very weak, earlier youth used to join the army, but now the situation is that recruitment is not taking place in the army, so the 'Agni Veer Scheme' should be reconsidered for recruitment in the army. He said that an agreement is being made with the US, but the US has very little to do with India's agreement. The US has told Bangladesh that it will buy clothes from it. He said that the government is discriminating against Telangana and not giving it anything.

Independent member Mohammed Hanif said that the problem of unemployment in Ladakh is very old, but no decision has been taken yet on the talks held with the government, and no action is being taken on the talks. He said that horticulture can be a game-changer in Ladakh, but special attention needs to be paid to its implementation there.

Indian Union Muslim League's Dr MP Abdussamad Samadani said that the country's large population has been deprived of the importance of the economy. One percent of the country's population has 40 percent of the country's wealth. How will you build a developed India in such a situation? He said that the government should tell how many jobs have been created in the last 10 years. He said that the amount of scholarships for minority students is being constantly cut.

Kerala Congress's K Francis George, while participating in the discussion on the budget, said that it is an anti-farmer budget. The small, micro, and medium industries sector contributes 30 percent to the country's GDP, but this sector has been ignored in the budget. He said that the supply of employment is a major issue in the country today and a comprehensive plan is needed for employment, but attention has not been paid to this in the budget.

United People's Party's Jointa Basumatary said that the North Eastern region has been ignored in the budget, and Bodo land has also been ignored, which should have been taken care of.

Shiv Sena's Shrikant Shinde said that the budget has been brought as a positive step towards building a developed India. He said that the textile industry is flourishing continuously and is providing employment to one crore people today. The budget has taken special care of women.

Independent member Amish Bhai Babu Bhai Patel said that looking at the atmosphere of Parliament, it can be said that the people in power do not want to run the House and the opposition does not allow the House to run. He said that not only big leaders and big states but also small states and small parties should be given importance in the House. He said that it is surprising that the Rajya Sabha runs smoothly, but the Lok Sabha does not run at all.

Revolutionary Socialist Party's NK Premachandran, while opposing the budget, said that all expenses are being paid. Can the dream of a developed India in 2047 be fulfilled through the proposals in the entire budget? The Economic Survey has given five challenges, including unemployment, inadequate investment, strengthening the economy with strategic resources, and the challenge of education, but no measures have been taken for this in the Economic Survey. How can a developed India be built in 2047 with the current state of expenditure and revenue in the country?

Janasena Party's Thengila Adi Srinivas said that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is the best finance minister and said that it is clear that job opportunities will increase and more youths will get jobs due to the increased budget for ministries related to skill development and small businesses.

BJP's Vidhyut Verma Mahato said that the budget is a clear announcement of employment and industrial development. He said that development increases with investment and when the government allocates a large budget for small industries and important sectors like semiconductors, it is an investment for development, which will create employment.