Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday termed the Union Budget as being a "people friendly and progressive budget" and one that brings in new hopes and opportunities for the people. In a televised statement after the presentation in Parliament, he complimented Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and said the Budget addressed both long term economic growth goals and relief for the poor.
“It strengthens the economy; it's full of 'more infrastructure, more investment, more growth and more jobs'. There is also a new provision of green jobs; Budget ensures a bright future for youth," Mr. Modi added.
The Prime Minister pointed out that allocations in the Budget for drinking water and for homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana were aimed at helping the poor. “Every poor person should have a pucca house, water available in taps, availability of toilets and gas facility, and all these have been given special attention,” he said.
Apart from welfare schemes for the poor, connectivity has also been given full importance, he said. For the first time in the country, he added, the Parvatmala scheme has been launched for areas such as Himachal, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast to enhance connectivity.
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"This scheme will create a modern system of transportation on the mountains," he said.
Mr. Modi said an important step has been taken for the "welfare of the farmers along with the faith of the people of India — the cleaning of Ganga."
"In Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, along with the Ganges, natural farming, to bring down the use of harmful chemicals on the banks of the Ganga, will also be encouraged," he said.
The Budget, he said, has brought new confidence to usher in development in the midst of one the most terrible calamities in 100 years, a reference to the COVID-19 pandemic.