Rijiju Defends Union Budget Amid Opposition Protests, Addresses NEET Controversy

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defends the Union Budget 2024 against opposition's claims of favoritism toward Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. He also addresses Rahul Gandhi's comments on NEET, stressing the Supreme Court's stance on exam integrity.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday commended the Union Budget, describing it as 'good.' He criticized the opposition for allegedly misleading the public by claiming the budget favored only Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. The INDIA bloc MPs continue their protest in Parliament against the Union Budget, presented on July 23 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The opposition has termed the Union Budget 2024 as 'discriminatory.'

'The Budget is really good and everyone has welcomed it. The opposition is trying to mislead by saying that it is a budget for only two states. The allocation of capital expenditure of Rs 11 lakh 11 thousand 111 crores for building infrastructure is not for 1-2 states, it is for the entire country,' Rijiju told reporters outside the New Parliament building. He added, 'It is wrong to say that the entire Union Budget is for one or two states.'

'From infrastructure to medical, giving relaxation to middle-class people, facilities for farmers or providing a separate package to tribal people, all that has been done for the country. It is wrong to say that the entire Union Budget is for one or two states,' he added. 'If Bihar is benefiting from the budget, what is the problem? It is the budget of the entire country, collectively presented,' he questioned.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her record seventh consecutive Union Budget 2024-25 on July 23 during the Budget Session of Parliament, with major announcements for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, including infrastructure boosts and special financial support. On Rahul Gandhi's Parliament remarks regarding the NEET issue, Rijiju stated that the opposition was unnecessarily creating a ruckus.

'Rahul Gandhi needs to apologize for making erroneous statements and accusing the entire examination system, a stance which the Supreme Court has categorically rejected,' he said. The Union Minister emphasized that the Supreme Court had issued a ruling on NEET and that it should be respected.

'Any isolated error or fraud must be dealt with accordingly, but it is wrong to label the entire system as fraudulent. The Supreme Court's ruling must be honored,' Rijiju reiterated. The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed calls to cancel the NEET-UG 2024 examination held on May 5, citing a lack of evidence for systemic issues affecting the exam's integrity.

A bench consisting of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra found no material evidence suggesting systemic breaches that could vitiate the exam's results. Although the court acknowledged a question paper leak in Hazaribagh and Patna, it ruled that this did not indicate a widespread systemic issue.

(With inputs from agencies.)