"I congratulate Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for this people-friendly and progressive budget," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the Union Budget presented by the Finance Minister on Tuesday, 1 February.
"This budget brings in new hopes and opportunities for the people. It strengthens the economy; it's full of possibilities for more infrastructure, more investment, more growth, and more jobs."Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Adding that the budget "ensures a bright future for the youth," the PM declared that it provided a new provision of green jobs, focuses on the welfare of the poor, and the betterment of farmers.
Stating that besides the cleaning of River Ganga, "a major step has been taken for the welfare of farmers," Modi said that "an announcement of over Rs 2.25 lakh crore MSP will be directly transferred (to farmers); this will double farmers' income."
The PM is scheduled to speak on the budget and a 'self-reliant India' in detail at 11 am on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the budget as "Aatmanirbhar Bharat Ka Budget," claiming that it is "a growth-oriented budget focused on harnessing the energies of New India."
He termed the proposal to reserve 25 percent of the R&D Budget for startups and private entities as an "excellent move."
Home Minister Amit Shah called it a "visionary Budget" that will "make India self-reliant and lay the foundation for a new India of the hundredth year of independence."
'Vocal for Local Budget'
Rajnath Singh stated that the budget is in line with the ‘Vocal for Local’ push as 68 percent of the defence capital procurement budget has been allocated towards local procurement.
"It is a Budget which would give fillip to ‘Make in India’, boost demand, and build capacities for a stronger, prosperous and confident India."Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister
Drone as a Service Will Be a Key Driver of Growth: Scindia
Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya Scindia, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for giving a boost to the drone sector through Drone Shakti & Kisan Drones. “Drone as a Service” will be a key driver of growth for both, the drone industry and beneficiary sectors, he said.
Increasing Size of Budget Shows Rapidly Growing Economy: Amit Shah
Shah said that increasing the size of the budget to Rs 39.45 lakh crore is proof that the Indian economy is growing even during the pandemic. "Reducing the fiscal deficit target from 6.9% to 6.4% is a huge achievement, I am confident that India will be able to bring down the fiscal deficit below 4% under the leadership of @narendramodi," he tweeted.
"Today, @narendramodi ji has reduced the AMT rate in the cooperative sector from 18.5% to 15%, and the surcharge from 12% to 7%, ending the injustice done to the cooperative sector for decades and bringing it at par with the rest of the sectors. This will work to prove the 'Prosperity through Cooperation' resolve of PM Modi," he said in another tweet in Hindi.
'Transformative' Budget: Piyush Goyal
Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, said that the PM Gati Shakti masterplan is going to be transformative for the Indian economy.
He added that the government has stepped up capital expenditure by 35.4% that will help create more employment opportunities, thus enhancing manufacturing & supporting farmers.
He said the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme will help provide additional credit to over 130 lakh MSMEs.
"Procurement of wheat in Rabi Season 21-22 & estimated procurement of paddy in Kharif Season 21-22 will cover 1,208 lakh metric tonnes of wheat & paddy from 163 lakh farmers & ₹2.37 lakh crores will be the direct payment of MSP value to their accounts," he tweeted.
'Blueprint of Country's Development in Next 25 Years'
"This Budget fulfils the expectation and aspirations of all sections of society, including small and big industrialists. This is not an agenda of merely one year's development, but a blueprint of the country's development in the next 25 years," BJP chief JP Nadda stated.
Calling it a 'Garib Kalyan', he added that it would 'empower the poor and labourers.'
"This Budget is dedicated to the development of infrastructure, rural and hilly areas, and Northeast. It is in line with govt's policy of social justice and equality," the leader said.
Deputy CM of UP Keshav Prasad Maurya, according to PTI, said that the budget is "dedicated to poor, farmers and youth" and stressed that the people of Uttar Pradesh would get the maximum benefit of the Budget because of the "double-engine government."
(With inputs from PTI.)
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