Budget is pro-growth, MSP hike will help farmers: PM
01 Feb 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation today shortly after finance minister Arun Jaitley finished his presentation of the Union Budget 2018-19 in Parliament, claimed it would ''give direction to the nation and accelerate growth''.
The PM said the Budget has paid attention to all sectors, from agriculture to infrastructure. ''This Budget is farmer friendly, common-citizen friendly, business environment friendly and development friendly,'' he said.
Farmers, Dalits, and tribal communities would gain from this Budget, which would bring new opportunities for rural India, he said.
''I congratulate the finance minister for the decision regarding MSP (minimum support price for crops). I am sure it will help farmers tremendously,'' he said.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, villages will be connected with Gramin Haat, higher education centres and hospitals. This will further ease living in villages, he said.
The Ujjwala scheme is ushering in 'Ease of Living' and empowering women. The scheme will now target 8 crore families instead of the previous target of 5 crore families
Healthcare has always been a cause of concern for the poor. 'Ayushman Bharat' scheme announced in the Budget will help the poor take care of their medical needs, he said, adding that it will help 10 crore poor families, or 40 to 50 crore individuals.
This scheme, to be funded by the government, is the biggest health insurance scheme in the world, he said.
He said 24 new medical colleges to be set up across the country will improve access to healthcare as well as aid in the study of budding doctors
''Our target is to set up at least one medical college in every three Parliamentary constituencies,'' he said.
On senior citizens, the PM said Under Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana, senior citizens will now get a minimum 8 per cent assured interest rate on investments up to Rs15 lakh.
No tax will be charged on interest earned up to Rs50,000 on savings in banks and post offices.