Congress red flags Govt’s plan for cut in social sector expenditure, raises issue in Lok Sabha

Congress MP M Ramachandran said "reduction in social sector spending will lead to social unrest".

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Lok Sabha (Source: PTI)

Centre’s reported move to cut “drastically” expenditure in social sector ministries was raised in Lok Sabha on Monday.

Raising the matter during Zero Hour, senior Congress member said “reduction in social sector spending will lead to social unrest” and asked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to reconsider the decision.

“The issue is to be addressed in a serious manner and I request the Finance Minister to reconsider the decision
without any delay,” he said.

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Ramachandran said it has been widely reported that the government has decided to cut expenditure in social sector drastically in the coming financial year.

According to him, government is proposing to cut expenditure on education by Rs 11,000 crore, and the budget for the Department of Panchayat Raj, Rural Development and sanitation by about 25 per cent.

“Leading economists, social activists and people at large are deeply agitated over such a decision, as it will hamper our overall development and growth.

“Healthcare sector also will be adversely affected by this decision,” Ramachandran said.