Such an all-touching, all-inclusive and country’s budget dedicated to the all-round welfare of the people and every region of the country: Jairam

 BJP Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur said that the first General Budget 2023-24 of Amrit Kaal is a public-welfare and visionary budget dedicated to the development of the country. This is a budget to empower and enable the villages, the poor, the farmers, the tribals, the dalits, the backward, the exploited, the underprivileged, the disabled, the economically backward and the middle class people. It is a budget dedicated to the overall development of the entire country including rural development, agriculture development, labor welfare, infrastructure development and digital infrastructure.

This is a budget to provide social justice, equality, respect and equal opportunities to the citizens of the country under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. This is a budget with emphasis on education of children, earning of middle class and welfare of the elderly.

For such an all-touching, all-inclusive and dedicated general budget for the all-round welfare of the people of the country and every region, I would like to congratulate Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and their entire team on my behalf. And on behalf of crores of workers of the party, I congratulate and heartily congratulate them.

He said the agenda for the Union Budget 2023-24 is to provide greater opportunities for citizens, provide a strong impetus to growth and job creation, and strengthen macroeconomic stability. This budget has 7 Saptarshi priorities – inclusive growth, last mile delivery, infrastructure and investment, unlocking potential, green growth, youth and strengthening the financial sector. This is not just a development agenda for the year 2023-24, but a blueprint for laying the foundation of a developed economy for the country.

Respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given a historic gift to the middle class employed people through this budget. Now employed people will not have to pay any tax on an annual income of Rs 7 lakh. Also, the tax slab has also been reduced to 5. I welcome this sensitive decision taken for middle class and salaried class people.

The decision to launch PMPBTG Development Mission to improve the socio-economic condition of backward tribal groups shows the seriousness of Shri Narendra Modi government towards tribal development. A fund of about Rs 15 thousand crore has been created for this scheme, through which basic facilities will be provided in PBTG settlements.

The decision to set up a National Digital Library for Children and Adolescents and appoint 38 thousand 800 teachers and support staff for 740 Eklavya schools in the next 3 years is a welcome step.

I heartily welcome the decision of the Shri Narendra Modi government to increase the agriculture credit target to Rs.20 lakh crore with focus on animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries. For the next 3 years, 1 crore farmers will be helped in natural farming. For this, 10,000 Bio Input Resource Centers will be set up, which is a welcome step.

The announcement of PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 is a very welcome step to give flight to the dreams of the youth. Under this, 40 Skill India Centers will be set up across the country, which will enhance the skills of the youth and provide them an opportunity to move forward.

I also welcome the decision of Shri Narendra Modi Government to issue Mahila Samman Vikas Patra. In this, women will now get 7.5% interest annually on savings of Rs 2 lakh. The decision to increase the limit of the amount to be kept in the savings account for senior citizens from Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 9 lakh is also a good initiative. Also, the limit of Senior Citizen Savings Scheme has also been increased from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 30 lakh. These schemes will prove to be a milestone in the direction of women empowerment and welfare of senior citizens.

The general budget for the year 2023-24 is the basis of the target of ‘Green Growth’. Rs 19,700 crore has been allocated for the National Hydrogen Mission. The government has set a target of producing 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030. A fund of Rs 35,000 crore has been given for energy transition.

A budget of Rs 2 lakh 40 thousand crore has been given for Railways, which is 9 times more than the budget of 2013-14 during the UPA government of Congress. Investment expenditure is being increased by 33% to Rs 10 lakh crore, which is about 33 percent more than in 2019-20. Interest-free loans to states have also been carried forward for one year.

In this budget, the budget of PM Awas Yojana has been increased to 69 thousand crore rupees. 66% hike in PM Awas Yojana shows how sensitive Shri Narendra Modi government is to the poor.

Despite the global crisis caused by the Corona crisis and the Russia-Ukraine war, increasing the size of the country’s budget to Rs 45 lakh crore shows India’s fast growing economy.

Since 2014, 157 new nursing colleges will be opened along with the existing 157 medical colleges. A target has been set to eliminate anemia by 2047. To increase regional connectivity, 50 new airports, helipads, water arrow drones, advanced landing grounds will be developed. The government will spend Rs 10,000 crore every year for the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund. This will further strengthen the urban infrastructure.

Credit guarantee of Rs 9 thousand crore will be given to MSMEs. With this, they will also be able to get extra collateral free credit of Rs 2 lakh crore. This will give a new strength to the domestic economy and this will also boost employment.

50 tourist places will be developed in the country. 500 new Waste-to-Wealth plants will be set up under the GOBARDAN scheme to promote circular economy at a total investment of Rs 10,000 crore.

Overall, this budget is a budget of the vision of India after 100 years of independence. In this budget, there is a framework for the development of all sections of the society from farmers, middle class, women. Indian economy is on the right track and moving towards a bright future. I once again express my gratitude to respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, honorable Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman ji and their entire team for this public welfare budget.