Countering Manmohan's 'minority tag', Piyush Goyal says poor have 'first right' on resources
New Delhi, Feb 1 Castigated for being a 'suit boot ka sarkar', the Modi government on Friday sought to take the battle over poor people's rights to the Congress camp with the Budget speech stating in as many words that it is the 'poor' who will have the first right on national resources.
"The poor have the first right on the resources of the nation," Finance Minister Piyush Goyal said in his Budget speech and also referred to the much talked about Constitutional Amendment Bill that gave 10 per cent reservation in educational institutions and government services for 'poor' among the general category.
Notably, the counter narrative of 'poor' vis-a-vis Muslims or minorities as stated by the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in 2006 came even as in the past too the BJP leaders have slammed Dr Singh for his remarks.
The reference is to Dr Singh's statement on December 9, 2006 when he had told the 52nd meeting of the National Development Council (NDC) plans for minorities, particularly Muslims, must have the "first claim" on resources so that benefits of development reach them equitably.
"We will have to devise innovative plans to ensure that minorities, particularly the Muslim minority, are empowered to share equitably the fruits of development. These must have the first claim on resources," Dr Singh has said.
For his part, FM Mr Goyal said the government while maintaining the existing reservation for SC/ST/Other Backward Classes, have now ensured 10 reservation in educational institutions and Government services for poor.
"In these institutions, around 25 per cent extra seats (approximately 2 lakh) will be provided so that, there is no shortfall of presently available/reserved seats for any class".To provide foodgrains at affordable prices to the poor and middle class, the FM said about Rs 1,70,000 crore were spent in 2018-19 which is almost "double" the amount of Rs 92,000 crore spent in 2013-14.
"We ensured that everyone gets food and none goes to sleep hungry. Rs 60,000 crore is being allocated for MGNREGA in Budget Estimates 2019-20. Additional amount would be provided if required," he said.
Mr Goyal said - this government has worked to bridge the urban-rural divide in the country.
"Honourable members in this August House, most of whom are from rural areas, will agree that several times in the past, only empty promises have been made to people living in our villages," he said.
Budget: With populism at heart, Modi Govt sounds poll bugle
The BJP-led NDA on Friday plunged into full steam electoral campaign as in the Budget for first four months for 2019-20, it pledged to reduce tax burden on middle class and unveiled a Rs 75,000 crore new farm income scheme aimed to help at least 12 crore farmers.
No sooner the customary formality in the Lok Sabha was over and Finance Minister Piyush Goyal wrapped up the Budget speech stating a "grand edifice will be erected" under decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP leaders including Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan (LJP) patted themselves for what they repeatedly said was a historic Budget.
''Now, it is absolutely clear we will win more than 400 seats,'' said Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha.
Mr Paswan also echoed the spirit saying ''the new government will be certainly headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi''.
Mr Modi, whose regime has been facing unhappiness over farm incomes, said the Budget gives a new direction to the economy for making of 'New India'.
"This Budget has addressed issues concerning farmers, gave income tax relief to tax payers and also has taken care of manufacturing sector," Mr Modi said in his post-Budget reaction.
Mr Modi also said the Budget will cater to the needs of 30-40 crore workers in the unorganised sector.
BJP chief Amit Shah said the middle class interest has been "more than adequately safe guarded" in this year's Budget.
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Populism was at its best in display in the House and when FM Goyal mentioned about tax relief and announcing that those with income up to Rs 5 lakh will get rebate, there was an unprecedented 'Modi Modi' sloganeering in the House and thumping of desks by ruling bench members.
In fact, Mr Goyal had to pause for a while reading his maiden speech and the sixth for the NDA regime.
After the new measure, Mr Goyal said those having an income of Rs 6.5 lakh annually will not have to pay any income tax provided they make investments in provident fund and other schemes.
The Finance Minister made opportune use of the occasion to thank the tax payers in the country and said the revenues generated by people's contributions help in taking up various welfare measures for millions of countrymen and women.
"Your tax helps give dignity to mothers and sisters with toilet and cooking gas...Your tax pays for the electricity connections for the poor who have lived in darkness for generations," the Finance Minister said.
The ailing Arun Jaitley also gave a thumps up to Mr Goyal Tweeting from the US - "The economic reforms undertaken by the NDA Government have unshackled Indian economy, unleashed its potential and made us a global leader in growth".
With various opinion polls suggesting that the BJP could face stiff fight in ensuing elections, the Interim Budget presented on Friday seeks to enhance government investment in the rural areas and in other sectors including Defence too.
To provide foodgrains at affordable prices to the poor and middle class, the FM said about Rs 1,70,000 crore were spent in 2018-19 which is almost "double" the amount of Rs 92,000 crore spent in 2013-14.
"We ensured that everyone gets food and none goes to sleep hungry. Rs 60,000 crore is being allocated for MGNREGA in Budget Estimates 2019-20. Additional amount would be provided if required," he said.
Mr Goyal said - this government has worked to bridge the urban-rural divide in the country.
"Honourable members in this August House, most of whom are from rural areas, will agree that several times in the past, only empty promises have been made to people living in our villages," he said.
"We have undertaken targeted expenditure to improve their quality of life in all its dimensions. Our aim, is to provide urban facilities in villages while keeping the soul of rural life intact," the Finance Minister said.
In his inimitable style, Mr Goyal said: "This is not just an interim budget, this is a vehicle for the developmental transformation of the nation".
"India is solidly back on track and marching towards growth and prosperity," he said amid cheers from PM Modi, BJP patriarch L K Advani and others.
The government had in January announced 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker sections among the general category people.
Budget lays foundation for NDA win with 400 seats, say Paswan & Jayant Sinha
New Delhi, Feb 1 (UNI) BJP leaders and Union Ministers, including Ram Vilas Paswan, on Friday welcomed the Budget in Parliament saying that the proposals would give significant relief to the people and said the announcements have laid the foundation for BJP to win more than 400 seats in the ensuing general elections.
''Now, it is absolutely clear we will win more than 400 seats,'' said Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha.
Another Union Minister and LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan also said the Budget has laid down the foundation for a certain NDA victory and ''the new government will be certainly headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi''.
Mr Paswan, whose party has entered into an alliance with JD(U) and BJP in Bihar, also predicted 400 plus win for the NDA.
''Sometime back soldiers undertook surgical strike at the border, that was with bullets, now we are ready for the war with ballot,'' he said.
Union Minister Arun Jaitley, who has gone abroad for his treatment, said the Budget was unquestionably pro-growth, fiscally prudent, pro-farmer, pro-poor and strengthens the purchasing power of the Indian Middle Class.
''The Budget expands spending while pragmatically sticking to fiscal prudence,'' while complimenting Finance Minister Piyush Goyal for delivering an excellent Budget.
BJP chief Amit Shah said the middle class has been "more than adequately safe guarded" in this year's Budget.
"These are big decisions by the Modi government for middle class and in fact the government has done more than my expectations," Mr Shah told reporters here.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said it was a historic budget, and all the sections of the society will benefit from it.
BJP flays Rahul Gandhi for his Rs 17 a day remark on farmers scheme
New Delhi, Feb 1 (UNI) BJP on Friday joined issue with Congress President Rahul Gandhi over his tweet on new farmers support scheme announced in the Budget.
"As expected, you haven't understood a thing from the Budget. Rs 6,000 to farmers is not their net income but a relief measure to supplement their income; along with host of other steps taken for their welfare," the party said in its official Twitter handle.
It further said - "Surprised, you did not tweet 70 paisa/hour. Would have been more RG like".
The sarcastic remarks came after Mr Gandhi in a missive ridiculed the new announcement of Rs 75,000 crore scheme and tweeted saying to give farmers Rs 17 a day "is an insult to everything they stand and work for".
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