JD-U terms Budget 2010 as anti-poor

New Delhi, Feb 26 (ANI): Janata Dal-United (JD-U) has criticized the General Budget 2010-2011 tabled in Parliament by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, and termed it as an anti-poor man budget.

NDA convenor and JD-U President Sharad Yadav launched a frontal attack against the government questioning the very sanctity of the debate on price rise as the government has effectively increased the prices of petroleum products.

"This is not a budget for the common people. This will only lead to more trouble for them as they are reeling under price rise," Yadav said.

JD-U Delhi unit General Secretary and spokesperson Prabhat Ranjan said, "General Budget presented by Mukherjee is an anti-poor man budget and has hurt the sentiments of the common man."

"Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government in spite of curtailing inflation has planned to increase the prices of diesel and petrol, thereby targeting the common man," added Ranjan.

Ranjan further claimed the Budget has nothing beneficial for the youth as well.

Customs duty on petrol and diesel were hiked to 7.5 per cent from 2.5 per cent while excise duty was raised by Re one a litre to Rs 14.35 and Rs 4.60 per litre on non-branded (normal) petrol and diesel respectively.

Petrol and diesel prices will go up by Rs 2.67 a litre and Rs 2.58 per litre in Delhi, respectively, after Mukherjee raised customs and excise duties on the two, virtually putting the Kirit Parikh Committee report on fuel price in cold storage. (ANI)