On February 5, 2025, flood victims in Sultanpur, under the aegis of the Ghaghara River Flood Control and Village Protection Struggle Committee, Ballia, burned copies of the Union Budget 2025 and protested against the anti-people, anti-farmer, and anti-labor policies of the Modi government.
The leaders of the Ghaghara River Flood Control and Village Protection Struggle Committee, Ballia, addressed the gathering, stating that the Union Budget 2025-26 is a severe attack on farmers and working-class people. The budget ignores the long-standing demand for a legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops. It also fails to provide any significant relief to farmers and laborers, with no loan waiver scheme or increase in fertilizer subsidies.
The budget proposes 100% privatization in the insurance sector, which is a dangerous move. It also fails to address the issue of rising corporate profits, which have increased from ₹10,88,000 crores in 2022-23 to ₹14,11,000 crores in 2023-24.
The committee demanded that the government withdraw the anti-people proposals in the budget and provide relief to farmers and laborers. The event was attended by hundreds of people, including Kanhaiya Shahi, Balwant Yadav, Garib Rajbhar, Vikrama, Surendra Yadav, Rajaram, Amarnath Yadav, Shriram Bharti, Harendra Gupta, Nand Ji, Shanti, and Usha Devi.
Anju, Convener, Ghaghara River Flood Control and Village Protection Struggle Committee, Ballia, February 5, 2025.
