Union Budget gives new direction to Govt priorities

Former Union Minister Bandaru Dattatraya has welcomed the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitely on Thursday.

“It gives new direction to the government priorities. This is a comprehensive budget which takes care of the sections of the society, all the states and regions. The fund allocation has done very systematically with even distribution. Giving more emphasis for the development of the bordering and backward areas like J&K, North East, Andaman & Nicobar, Himalayan region etc is a welcome step. These are strategically also more important in view of their geographical locations and neighboring point of view,” he said.

Allocation of more funds to the Defence sector shows the commitment of this government for the integrity and solidarity of the country. Giving boost for the indigenous production of defence equipment is a good stop forward for establishing security independence, he said.

“I welcome the efforts made by the Finance Minister for the incentives to Agriculture sector. Making provisions for disbursement of Rs.8 Lakh crores for the farmer loans, incentives for the timely repay of loans, National Common Marketing Products for ensuring remunerative prices, are some of the good decision for the benefit of the farmers,” Dattatraya said.

The decision of the government to encourage entrepreneurs from the deprived sections of the society like SCs, STs and OBCs is a good move. The Budget also aims at creating more educational and employment opportunities for the minorities. Allocation of Rs.100 Cr for Mathrasas is a step towards in this direction. Allocation of special budgetary assistance to the backward areas of  the country is an effort to bring these areas to the main stream in all developmental aspects, he said.

Dattatraya also thanked the Finance Minister for giving priority to both the newly formed states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh by announcing more central institutions to these states. “This is a development oriented budget which gives impetus to the manufactured sector, infrastructure facilities. It has given equal importance to both the rural and urban sectors. By announcing Beti Bachao Beti Padao programme, the budget has clarified its commitment towards the development and safety of the women,” he said.