Former Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Vice-President Dr Raman Singh reacted to the Union Budget, saying it’s such a popular Budget that it will prove to be a trump card in the coming Election year.

Budget 2023-24 is a roadmap to make Bharat a developed nation by 2047. This Budget is a budget for middle-class families. There are seven priorities described as Saptarishi in the Budget: inclusive development, reaching out to the last person, infra and development, skill upgradation, agriculture sector development, Yuva sector and financial sector. The budget has brought a better future. The budget includes ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’. It’s an Amrit Kaal for middle-class families.

The Budget has been increased by 12 per cent to 45 lakh crore, the second important aspect is a capital investment which is 33.4 per cent of total expenditure. It is the most important part of any Budget; capital expenditure will prove a base for infra development. Capital expenditure is set at Rs 10 lakh crore. Increase in tax revenue. Tax receipts will cross Rs 23 lakh crore by the next fiscal year. It will create a fund with the government. 1.7 per cent revenue deficit and the fiscal deficit are down to 5.9 per cent.

States now have permission to have a 3.5 per cent fiscal deficit of GSDP, earlier it was 3 per cent. Now, the states can take more loans. GSDP growth is expected at 7 per cent and per capita income is increased to Rs 1.97 lakh. The nation’s economy has risen to 5th place in the world from 9th position in nine years.

The nation’s GSDP rate is over 9 per cent, the highest in the world. GDP growth is 6 to 6.4, making it the strongest economy. No tax for up to 7 lakh income, increased from Rs 5 lakh. Besides, tax slabs have been decreased from 7 to 5. The Budget has increased Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana fund allocation by 66 per cent. Surcharge from 37 to 25 per cent, Mahila Samman Bachat Patra Yojana, under which women can invest up to Rs 2 lakh with a return of 7.5 per cent. The Chhattisgarh Government has halted the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which would have provided homes to so many people.

Speaking on the loans being taken up by the Congress- led Chhattisgarh Government, Dr Singh said, “I am fine with the State taking the loans as long it is spent on something substantial. The Congress Government hasn’t been spending on infrastructures. Congress is taking loans, but wasting money on Narva, Ghurva, Garuva and Baadi schemes instead of building roads, schools or bridges. Prime Minister Narendra Modi already has the scheme to promote millet farming. The State only talks about millet but has no arrangement to procure millet. The central scheme includes the establishment of a research institute and providing training and people will be connected to millet farming.” The Budget has strengthened the Economy of the nation. On one side, there is an exemption in IT for the middle class. On the other side, Rs 10 lakh crore are allocated to capital investment, which will generate employment as roads, schools, hospitals and other infrastructures will be built. Huge employment will be generated. Rashtriya Shikshita Yojana has been implemented, under which unemployment allowances will be provided.