Budget lacks long-term perspective, says CPI

New Delhi: CPI on Friday criticised the Budget 2008-9 saying it lacked long-term perspective and gave the indication that direction of economic reforms remained the same that could be "dangerous".

Terming the exercise as a "stunt", the party said the Budget was silent on the four per cent interest rate on loans to farmers and demand for setting up of National Debt Relief Commission.

"The Budget lacks long term perspective. It is more of short term relief", CPI Secretary D Raja told PTI.

The direction of the economic reforms is the same, which could be "dangerous", he said.

On NREGA, he said the allotment is not enough given the fact that the whole country has to be brought under its purview.