Lucknow: Lashing out at the State Government for releasing an advertisement in newspapers criticising the Union Budget, the Congress on Sunday termed it “unconstitutional” and threatened to explore legal options over the issue.

“All political parties are free to raise their voice in Parliament regarding the Union Budget. Criticising it through advertisements was unconstitutional”, Pradesh Congress President Reeta Bahuguna Joshi said, adding that her party would also explore legal options to corner the State Government on the issue.

Instead of criticising the UPA Government, Chief Minister Mayawati should give account of Rs 32,000 crore given to the State by the Centre, she said, alleging that over Rs 8,000 crore of Central grants were lying unutilised in the State exchequer.

The one-page advertisement quoting Mayawati said: “Union budget is far from ground reality. The numerous reliefs and concessions declared by the Central Government would have been more meaningful had they been given in the very first year after the formation of UPA government. Only then the real benefits would have accrued to the people of the country”. It also alleged that the budget neglected Uttar Pradesh and no provisions were made for the drought-hit Bundelkhad region.

Terming waiver of loans for farmers a ‘belated step’, it alleged that the budget has made no provision for the emancipation of the poor. PTI

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