Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “This is a Budget for the future – for farmers, underprivileged, transparency, urban rejuvenation, rural development, enterprise. This Budget is yet again devoted to the well-being of the villages, farmers and the poor. From railway modernization to economic reforms, from education to health, from entrepreneurship to industry, the aim at fulfilling the dreams of all is clearly visible in the Budget.”
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu: “It’s a pro-growth Budget. The growth will happen because of huge investments that is happening. For example in railways, the provision for Rs 1.31 lakh cr for capital expenditure is unprecedented in railway history.”
Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu: “It’s a fine exercise taken up by the Finance Minister. It’s very inspiring, bold steps has been announced. Particularly the political funding has been made transparent. People will be happy. Some political parties will become poor. That is why our opponents are saying the budget is anti-poor.”
Union Minister Kiran Rijiu: “It will transform rural India and urban as well in terms enhancing the capacity of building infrastructure. It is a great relief to the common masses and it will transform the economy of the nation. At the same time, the reform in taxation is great.”
BJP President Amit Shah: “The Union B8udget is aimed at all-round development with sops for the youth, women, farmers, the poor and middle class and that it will usher in a new era of progress.”
Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi: “We were expecting fireworks, instead it was a damp squib. It is just ‘sher-o-shayari’ in the Budget. There is nothing for farmers and youth and nothing for job creation. There is no clear vision, no idea.”
Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge: “They have promised all these things (proposals to cleanse political system) keeping polls in five states in mind. They have not said anything for farmers, youth, women. They have accepted that GDP growth has gone down.”
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee: “A controversial Budget which is clueless, useless, baseless, missionless and actionless. No roadmap for the country or the future from a government that has lost all its credibility.”
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan: ” union budget is a revolutionary step for a progressive India. The budget will increase the pace of development and growth to help poor and marginalized people.”
CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury: “It an example of Finance Minister joining the Prime Minister and the BJP President to create ‘jumlas’. The budget is a classic example of that. It won’t boost employment or generate demand. The idea of infrastructure development is a farce because the data given by the FM is not related to reality, does not match to what he said in his speech.”
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis: “Pathbreaking budget! It has the same disruptive effect as demonetization had. Country will leapfrog to next level. This is indeed Budget for Better India. Positive effect of demonetization, the increase in capital expenditure by 25% will generate more jobs.”
Harsh Kumar Bhanwala, Chairman Nabard: “The Budget focuses a lot on the rural and agriculture sector. Though the thrust on digital continues, reforms announced in the Budget will generate employment and help in doubling farmers income.”
