'Union budget blueprint of loot, plunder': CITU calls for nationwide protests

By A Representative

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has vehemently condemned the Union Budget 2025-26, labeling it a “blueprint of loot and plunder” that prioritizes corporate interests over public welfare. In a scathing press release, CITU accused the BJP-led NDA government of deepening economic inequality through privatization, reduced social spending, and policies favoring “obscene” corporate profits while neglecting workers and marginalized communities.

CITU General Secretary Tapan Sen criticized the budget’s “contractionary” fiscal approach, noting the government’s decision to lower the fiscal deficit target to 4.4% from 4.9%, which it claims will further squeeze welfare programs. The union highlighted that corporate tax collections are projected to rise by a mere 10.4%, despite corporate profits hitting a 15-year high, as revealed in the Economic Survey 2024-25. The budget reaffirmed aggressive privatization through the National Monetization Pipeline (NMP), aiming to transfer ₹10 lakh crore worth of public infrastructure—including power, highways, and minerals—to private entities over five years. CITU criticized the government’s “deceptive” use of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), arguing these schemes divert public funds to private profits. States have also been incentivized to privatize power distribution by offering a 0.5% increase in borrowing limits.

The Finance Bill quietly raised foreign direct investment (FDI) in insurance to 100%, bypassing legislative hurdles. Amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act to allow private sector involvement in nuclear energy were condemned as a capitulation to “U.S. pressure.” Despite rhetoric on “pro-people initiatives,” CITU noted significant cuts to social welfare: allocations for agriculture and rural development were reduced by ₹2.12 lakh crore and ₹3,675 crore, respectively. MNREGA saw a ₹3,268 crore cut, worsening rural unemployment, while food subsidies under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana were slashed by ₹2,250 crore, with total food subsidies reduced by ₹8,364 crore. Mid-Day Meal and Anganwadi schemes received nominal increases that failed to offset inflation, with per-child nutrition spending rising by “5 paise” after seven years.

Railway budgets were cut to ₹2.55 lakh crore (from ₹2.62 lakh crore), with safety funds reduced by ₹322.5 crore despite rising accidents. CITU warned this signals impending privatization via the NMP. The Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0, which decriminalizes 100 corporate offenses, drew sharp criticism, with CITU accusing the government of enabling corporate lawbreaking. “This is a blatant assault on the rule of law,” Sen stated, arguing it prioritizes profits over public accountability.

CITU lambasted the government for ignoring its own Economic Survey, which revealed stagnant wages below pre-pandemic levels and a consumption crisis driven by inequality. “The budget perpetuates a perverse economic model where corporate greed thrives while workers and farmers starve,” Sen said. CITU has called for nationwide protests on February 5, 2025, urging workers, farmers, and citizens to reject the budget’s “anti-national, neoliberal agenda.” The union demands expanded public spending funded by taxing corporations and the wealthy, reversal of privatization plans, and urgent revisions to social welfare allocations.

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