Union Budget 2010

Press Statement

The Non-Gazetted Government Officers’ Association, Andaman and Nicobar Islands observes with concern that the Union Budget 2010 presented in the Lok Sabha today by the Finance Minister is most disappointing as it does not address any of the issues raised by the central government employees organizations. There is no relief for the employees belonging to lower and middle categories from the income tax. Neither the maximum amount which is not chargeable to tax (first slab) has been nor the savings limit enhanced in real sense. The most objectionable aspect of the increase in indirect taxes has come in the form of a 5% increase in customs duty on crude petroleum along with a Rs. 1 per litre increase in central excise duty on petrol and diesel, thereby causing an overall increase of Rs. 2.50 per litre on the prices of petrol and diesel. Raising the prices of diesel and petrol will further fuel all-round inflation in the economy at a time when the people are reeling under the sky-rocketing prices. In accordance with the government’s privatisation policy, the Budget proposes to resort to disinvestment of central public sector undertakings to the tune of Rs. 25,000 crores. The Budget is silent over the demand of central government employees to lift the ban on creation of posts and recruitment in central government.

D Ayyappan

General Secretary

NGOs' Association