Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday termed the interim Budget as historic, saying it meets the expectations of all sections of the society and would set the developmental agenda for the country for the years to come.
"This is an excellent Budget which would take the nation on the path of progress and prosperity," he said in a statement issued here. He said various major announcements have been made for farmers, poor, women, students, businessmen and middle class.
Thakur said a record allocation of funds at Rs 58,166 crore has been made for North Eastern areas and higher budgetary allocations for education, health, infrastructure and for the welfare of weaker sections including scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. He also welcomed the decision for creating a separate department of Fisheries for welfare of 1.5 crore fisherman.
He said a new scheme 'Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan' has been announced to provide pensionary benefits to at least 10 crore labourers and workers in the unorganised sector.