Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has described the Central budget presented in Parliament on Monday as a balanced budget for the country's development. It has paid special attention to agriculture and farmers' welfare. The budget will help in India's re-building. It takes care of all sections of society.
The Chief Minister said that at a time when the entire world is passing through global recession with major countries of the world neck deep in economic crisis, this budget is balanced, development-oriented, aiming at the welfare of the poor and creation of employment for the youths. It provides for creation of additional irrigation in 25 lakh hectares and digging of 5 lakh ponds under MNREGA. A roadmap has been chalked out to achieve an ambitious target of doubling the income of farmers.
Revolutionary measures like Prime Minister's Crop Insurance Scheme, Integrated e-Mandi and organic farming in 5 lakh hectares have been introduced in the budget.
The Chief Minister said that it is the budget for the welfare of the poor. It has made maximum provisions to create employment for the poor under MNREGA. Provisions of lPG and Health Insurance Scheme have been made for the poor families. Under Stand-up India, Rs 500 crore has been provisioned for SC and ST entrepreneurs.
The budget has also paid attention to infrastructure development. Rs 2.35 lakh crore has been provisioned for rural and urban development. A provision has been made to convert 50,000 km long highways to national highways. Small income tax payers have been given concessions. For the first time, up to Rs 50,000 concession on interest has been given to buyers of houses. The budget aims at realizing dreams of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The budget is balanced and aims at giving positive direction to the country, he added.