Budget won’t spur growth: Agri experts

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh/Hisar, Feb 1

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday tweeted that the Union Budget would give a new direction to the country’s economy. He stated that it had given relief to taxpayers, expanded the Ayushman Bharat scheme and given a 16-point plan for farmers.

“The reduction in income tax is a historic step. Farmers will benefit as the target to double their income by 2022 has been given,” said former Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu. He lauded expansion of Ayushman Bharat scheme and grant of Rs 6,000 crore for Bharatnet to connect panchayats.

On the other hand, former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda said, “The Budget has disappointed the youth, poor, farmers, employees, middle class, industrialists and traders. The farm sector is the worst hit. There is no announcement of any new airport, train, railway track, university or industry for the state.”

“The Budget has given stepmotherly treatment to people of the state. With the BJP having won just 40 seats in the Assembly elections, the party is hell bent on taking revenge,” said state Congress president Kumari Selja. “Unemployment is at a 45-year high in the country, but there is no concrete step for providing jobs,” she stated.

Meanwhile, agricultural experts maintained that the Budget was unlikely to spur growth in the agricultural sector though the government aimed at doubling the income of farmers.

“The Finance Minister is silent on implementation of Swaminathan Commission report, which is the key demand of farmers. if the government is serious about farmers, the report must be addressed in a serious way,” said Pradeep Singh, an agricultural expert.

Sube Singh, a farmer, asked whether the government would ensure MSP for the entire mustard and wheat produce in the next procurement season. “We are unable to understand figures, but are witness to farmers being looted in mandis. The mismanagement during procurement left farmers high and dry. With the government dragging its feet, middlemen have been pocketing the maximum share of profit,” he said.