The Union budget will create new opportunities for common people along with providing strength to the economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday. As India reels under the third wave of Covid-19, Modi said the budget comes with a new confidence of development amidst the once-in-a-century calamity.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled a bigger Rs 39.45 lakh crore budget, with higher spending on highways to affordable housing with a view to firing up the key engines of the economy to sustain a world-beating recovery from the pandemic.
Modi said the budget is full of opportunities for more infrastructure, investment, growth and jobs. “This will further open the green job sector. This Budget not only solves the contemporary problems but also ensures bright future for the youth,” said the prime minister.
He further remarked that the quest for modernity and technology in every sphere of life through steps such as drones for farmers, Vande Bharat trains, digital currency, 5G services and national digital health ecosystem will hugely benefit our youth, middle class, poor, dalit and backward classes.
Modi stressed that the welfare of the poor is one of the most important aspect of this year's budget. “The budget aims to ensure pucca house, toilet, tap water and gas connection for every poor household. At the same time focus also is on modern internet connectivity,” he said.
The prime minister mentioned that for the first time in the country, ‘Parvatmala’ scheme is being started in regions like Himachal, Uttarakhand, Jammu Kashmir and the North East. This scheme will create modern system of transportation in the hilly areas, he said.
Modi claimed that the government will encourage natural farming on the banks of the Ganga river in five states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. “This is a significant step for the welfare of the farmers and this will also help in making Ganga chemical-free,” he said.
According to the prime minister, the budget’s provisions aim to make agriculture lucrative and full of new opportunities. Measures like special fund for encouraging new agriculture startups and package for food processing industry will help in increasing income of farmers, he said and claimed that more than 2.25 lakh crore rupees are being transferred in the account of the farmers through MSP purchase.
“India’s MSME sector will be greatly benefitted by the reservation of 68 per cent of the Defence Capital Budget for the domestic industry. 7.5 lakh crore rupees worth of public investment will give new push to the economy and create new opportunities for small and other industries”, the prime minister further said.
