Union Budget 2015 is 'pro-industrialist', not meant for poor: Congress

New Delhi: Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday slammed the Union Nudget saying it was "pro-industrialist", "pro-corporate" and not meant for the poor.

He said the budget was vision document just like the Railway Budget, and was "impractical" in nature.

"The budget is only for big corporate houses and industries. It is for the rich who supported them (the BJP) during the Lok Sabha polls. It is not a pro-poor budget," Kharge told reporters outside Parliament.

Observing that "it was just like the vision document of the railways," he said the budget lacked any substantial investment in the social sector.

"The government got a lot of money because of the fall of prices in the crude oil. But you did not use it for the poor for inclusive development.

The budget was also made keeping in mind the future state elections in Bihar and West Bengal in mind," he said.

Kharge added that there was nothing new in the budget and old schemes were presented with new names.

Speaking about the proposed black money legislation, he said even former Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had taken steps to curb illegal money.

"First they (the BJP) say we will get black money in 100 days, then after nine months they bring the bill. By simply screaming loud, you don't get back black money.

"The earlier governments also took steps to bring back the black money, but they (the government and the BJP) are saying this by blowing trumpets," Kharge said.

Asked about the housing scheme in the Budget, Kharge said, "housing programme is a continuous programme. Indira Aawas programme is there. If you want to give something for poor people you could have given money to various sectors. But they feel shy of talking for poor people."