Appreciating the union budget 2023-24 presented by the Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, on February 1, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said the budget will promote social justice, equality and provide equal opportunities to all sections of the society.
Addressing the press on Friday at CM secretariat, CM Biren said that the budget 2023-24 presented on February 1 will strengthen the economy and create new employment opportunities.
Budget envisages India's growth and development 100 years post-independence, the CM said, adding that the budget gives a roadmap for growth, development and progress for all sections of society.
The Indian economy is on the right track, moving towards a bright future, CM Biren said and thanked PM and FM for the public and social welfare oriented Budget.
The chief minister said that the first general budget of India's Amrit Kaal Public Welfare and Pro-poor budget will uplift lives of villagers, rural folks, tribals, farmers, backward classes, differently abled and those economically backward.
The budget of the BJP-government presented under leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will promote social justice, equality and provide equal opportunities to all sections of society, the CM reiterated.
The budget will make India a ‘Super Power’ and it emphasises on education of children, earning of the middle class and welfare of the elderly, Biren said and congratulated the prime minister, the union finance minister and her entire team.
The chief minister further said that in the economic agenda, the budget is facilitating opportunities for citizens, providing strong impetus to growth and job creation In strengthening macroeconomic stability, the budget gives seven priorities in inclusive development, reaching last mile, infrastructure and investment, unleashing potential, green growth, youth power, he added.
In the financial sector, 30 Skill India International Centres will be set up to skill youth for international opportunities. Announcement of National Data Governance Policy' is welcome, as it will promote research and innovations in start-ups and educational institutions, Biren said.
'Mahila Samman Bachat Patra', a new small savings scheme launched to commemorate 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', will provide fixed interest of 7.5 per cent per annum for two years for deposit upto Rs 2 lakh in the name of women or girls. Limit of keeping money savings accounts for senior citizens increased from Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 9 lakh and it is a major milestone towards the welfare of India's Women and Senior Citizens, informed the CM.
He said one major focus of the budget is 'Green Growth', adding that the Modi-government has allocated Rs. 19,700 crores for the National Hydrogen Mission with a target to produce 50 lakh tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.
“Rs. 35,000 crore fund provided for energy transition to 'green' energy 100 labs to be set up in engineering institutes to develop apps that run on 5G mobile services will create new opportunities, jobs, investments”, CM Biren said.
The budget also allocated Rs. 2.40 lakh crore for development and modernisation of India Railways and this is 9 times more than 2014 during Congress-led UPA government, said Biren.
Capital investment increased by 33 per cent to Rs 10 lakh crore and this will boost infrastructure development across the country, the budget economic development for next 50 years, he said.
CM Biren said that ending the old tax regime in the budget by the prime minister is a big gift to the salaried class in the country. Now, salaried class with income up to Rs 7 lakh per annum (previously Rs. 5 lakhs) will not have to give tax. It is the blueprint for laying a strong foundation for India's communities, he added.
He said that in the next three years, the central government will appoint 38,800 teachers and support staff in 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools. The government also emphasised a deep focus on development of dairy, animal husbandry and fisheries sectors with a target of providing agriculture credit increased to Rs 20 lakh crore.
The budget shows sensitivity of the PM to the needs of the poor and needy, expressed Biren.
He informed that a mission to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by 2047 will be launched. 50 new airports, helipads and advanced landing grounds will be set up to enhance regional connectivity.
For Urban Development, an Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) is being set up with provision of Rs. 10,000 crore per annum. MSMES will be given an additional Rs. 9,000 crores of credit guarantee. It will allow MSMEs to avail upto Rs. 2 lakh crores of extra collateral-free credit, the CM said.
