BUDGET 2024-25: Reactions

This Budget is a boon for agri and rural development & will bring revolutionary changes in the lives of farmers, women, youth and economically disadvantaged sections of society. — Shivraj Chouhan, Agriculture Minister

The agriculture and allied budget is only 3.15% of the total Budget and the demand for legal status for MSP has been met with stony silence, as has the demand for a farm loan waiver. — Jairam Ramesh, Cong leader

Job, consumption prospects enthuse Gulf NRIs: Provisions on employment and skilling, consumption boost and support for rural and MSME sectors in the first budget of the Modi 3.0 government have enthused NRI businessmen in the Gulf region.

Farming sector is ignored and it is silent on giving legal guarantee to MSP. Budget is directionless & disappointing and does not have any vision for the agriculture sector. — Sarwan Singh Pandher, KMM leader

The removal of angel tax is a strategic step towards positioning India as a global hub for innovation, increasing domestic capital formation, and enhancing ease of doing business. — Neha Singh, co-founder of Tracxn

Protest planned over ‘biased’ Budget: INDIA bloc parties decided to protest in Parliament and outside over “discrimination” against Opposition-ruled states in the Budget. The decision was taken during a meeting at the residence of Congress chief Kharge.

The allocation of Rs 1.05 lakh crore for domestic capital procurement will provide an impetus to atmanirbharta. I thank the FM for giving the highest allocation of Rs 6.21L cr to the MoD. — Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister

The Budget has ensured India marches on a path to become a developed and self-reliant country. It has been formulated keeping in mind every sector, including agriculture and rural development. — Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister

The Budget is growth-oriented & meant to benefit everyone. Capital expenditure of over Rs 11 lakh crore has been allocated. The PM’s dream of ‘Viksit Bharat’ is reflected in it. — Kiren Rijiju, Parliamentary Affairs Minister

The Union Budget will generate new employment opportunities in the country. Jobs, skilling, MSMEs and the middle class are the four main focus areas of the Budget. — Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister

Steep hike for BRO: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will get Rs 6,500 crore, which is 30% more than last year. Among the projects covered are Nyoma Airfield in Ladakh at an altitude of 13,700 ft and the 4.1-km strategic Shinku La tunnel in HP.

Bengal has been completely deprived in the Union Budget, which doesn’t look into the interests of the poor. The Budget is directionless. It is only to serve a political mission. — Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal CM

Tamil Nadu has been completely ignored in the Union Budget. To condemn it, I will boycott the July 27 NITI Aayog meet in Delhi, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. — MK Stalin, Tamil Nadu CM

The Centre has been “discriminatory” in its approach to the states, and most of them, including Kerala, have been ignored. The Budget documents show significant cuts in important central projects. — Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala CM

Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas slogan is bogus. This looks like a kursi bachao Budget. Apart from Bihar and Andhra, no state has been given anything. It looks like PM is trying to save his chair. — A Revanth Reddy, Telangana CM

Loan support: Loans up to Rs 10 lakh will be provided for higher education in domestic institutions to one lakh students every year with interest subvention of 3% of loan amount