Mixed political reactions on Budget

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posted on 17 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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While the Congress was understandably supportive of Chidambaram's budget, the Left and Opposition weren't particularly pleased.

New Delhi: While the Congress was understandably supportive of Finance Minister P Chidambaram's budget, the Left parties and the Opposition weren't particularly pleased.

Congress MP Jyotirditya Scindia, said, "It is a very positive growth oriented Budget that can assist in empowering India into a new economic future."

The Finance Minister's son, Kartik Chidambaram has said that this is a positive Budget keeping in mind the socio-economic conditions of the country with a great thrust on agriculture.

CPI-M leader Mohd Salim on the other hand described it as a mixed bag. "The emphasis on Sarva Shiksha is positive and we welcome it," he said.

However, he added that on the negative side, after Sachar Committee recommendations, the party expected something for the minorities on the lines of what has been given to the SCs and STs.

"This is a ritualistic budget. It will have no impact on inflation, allocation to various sectors is nominal and it is not in touch with ground realities," PTI quoted CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta as saying.

The Opposition claimed that the Budget did not do much to contain rising prices. While taking Finance Minister to task, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said Chidambaram has made pet foods cheaper, but nothing has been done for people. "It has nothing to stimulate growth," Prasad said.

BJP Leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is not too happy with the Budget. "It's a disappointing Budget. High growth rate during inflation will do no good to the people. Burden on the common man stays."

Shiv Sena MP and former minister Suresh Prabhu also said the budget did not have any measures to check infation. "The budget is timid... there is nothing in it to control inflation," PTI quoted him as saying.

Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, an RJD MP, also expressed dissatisfaction over the budget. "We had asked for inclusion of 200-400 districts under the NREG (National Rural Employment Guarantee) scheme, but only 130 have been included... We are not satisfied," PTI quoted him as saying.

However, Chidambaram's deputy, Minister of state for Finance P K Bansal said the Budget will promote growth and control inflation. The budget also has good allocation for flagship schemes, which would benefit the common man, Bansal said.