CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat today said that the Union budget has "failed" to address the major concern of the masses and questioned the reason behind cutting oil subsidy and increasing the tax concession for the corporates.

"There has been a sharp decline in petroleum subsidy, for diesel, petrol and other oil products. Which means they will raise the prices of petrol, diesel to international level, which will be a big burden on the masses," Karat said on the sidelines of flagging off the Sangharsh Sandesh Jatha from Kolkata.

The CPI(M) is conducting a Sangharsh Sandesh Jatha which will traverse the length and breadth of the country. Four main jathas will start from Kanyakumari, Kolkata, Mumbai and Amritsar to Delhi. At the conclusion of these jathas, there will be a massive rally at Delhi on March 19.

The purpose of the jatha is to highlight some of the main problems and issues facing the people and to set out alternative policies advocated by the CPI(M).

It will also highlight the policies of the UPA government at the Centre, which have resulted in continuous price rise, agrarian distress, growing unemployment and massive corruption.