Budget reflects aspirations of 140 billion Indians: PM Modi –

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the Budget for its future vision, stressing that it is ambitious and also addresses the country’s aspirations through its focus on a series of sectors, including industry and infrastructure.In his comments after External Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Budget, an achievement he described as historic, Modi said it provides a highway to tremendous opportunities and strengthens the foundation for India’s bright future while realizing its current dreams. “This budget is a strong foundation for our journey towards a developed India by 2047. It strengthens India’s global role,” he said.

Touching on his various salient points, the Prime Minister said that his “pioneering reforms” will provide new energy and impetus to India’s “expressions of reform” and open new vistas for its young, ambitious population.

“The Budget reflects the aspirations of 140 crore Indians. It advances the reform journey and charts a clear roadmap for Vixit Bharat,” he said. He added that India is not satisfied with just being the fastest growing major economy, but wants to quickly become the third largest economy.“India’s role as a trusted democratic partner to the world and a quality supplier is ever-increasing. The Budget has taken major steps to ensure that the country’s youth and its small and medium scale industries get maximum benefits from big trade deals, including the mother of all (recent) deals it signed (with the EU),” he said.

He said the budget combines high capital expenditure with high growth, and achieves the vision of trust-based governance and people-centered economy. The support provided to the Sunrise sectors is “unprecedented,” he said, referring to the Biopharma Shakti Mission, Rare Earth Corridors and Semiconductor Mission-2. The Prime Minister described it as an ambitious roadmap for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.Echoing Sitharaman’s declaration that it is a “Yuva Shakti Budget”, Modi said it will help develop “leaders, innovators and creators” in various sectors.

Measures to establish medical centres, promote the “orange economy” – covering areas such as gaming and audio-visual materials – and encourage tourism and sports industries will open countless opportunities for young people.“The budget strengthens the foundations of balanced development by strengthening the various states,” he said, praising its focus on promoting tourism in the northeast.Her proposals on women-run self-help groups, opening of girls’ hostels in every district, agriculture, dairy and fisheries sectors underscore the priority that the government has always given to women and farmers, he added.