The State government has come under criticism from political parties and former ministers in the wake of the budget 2013-14. They have accused it of presenting the budget with an eye on the Lok Sabha polls scheduled next year.
The Communist Party of India (CPI) said that the State had tried a balancing act by proposing populist schemes, but had not meaningfully addressed issues such as controlling rice prices, creating jobs or having a clear vision on agriculture.
The CPI has demanded an increase in taxes on gold, luxury housing, hotels and luxury vehicles and further slash in prices of diesel and fertilisers.
The Janata Dal (United) also criticised the government for not giving adequate importance to the power sector. The JD(U) said power shortage was the prime reason for the fall in the State’s growth rate.