The government unveiled a fire-fighting Budget on Monday that seeks to win back support among rural voters.
"We have a shared responsibility to spend prudently and wisely for the people, especially for the poor and downtrodden," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told lawmakers in his 100-minute Budget address.
Watch Prannoy Roy's analysis of the Modi government's 'pro-poor' budget which Dr Manmohan Singh says is a "mixed bag with no big idea", but is upheld b y many as "transformational".
- In my view good economics and good politics are not divorced from each other.
- But power sector has not asked for more money. In effect we give money back to the Finance Minister.
- More than satisfied with the investment in power sector. In my mind my sector can stand on its own feet.
- India running one of the largest renewable energy programmes. Five times the size of the previous government's commitment 175 Gigawatts.
#Budget2016 pic.twitter.com/aZibduSYfz
- NDTV (@ndtv) February 29, 2016
- First of all I want to explain this is prospective. In 15-20 years if you withdraw the money and put in an annuity, the income from that won't be taxable.
- Let's say you have Rs 100 in your PF account. You take our Rs 40, which is tax-free, the Rs 60 which is to be taxed can be invested in an annuity and the income from it will be tax-free. So essentially, you will not have to pay any taxes on your PF money.
- Our economic Philosophy is very clearly articulated.
- Prime Minister in his landmark speech in 2014 had said that our government is that of the poor.
- What we have really tried to do in this and the previous budget is to provide impetus for both the rural economy and the globalised urbanised economy.
- We are really making sure that we have enough for the modern economy - Startup India, Make In India.
- The way I see it, this government has two more budgets left before their promise of 'Achhe Din' delivered.
- They have realised that if they don't look like being pro-poor, they will be booted out.
Nowhere in the world has real income doubled in 5 years: Dorab Sopariwala on #Budget2016 https://t.co/2sHDmZ2i6C
- NDTV (@ndtv) February 29, 2016
- Maximum emphasis was on agriculture and rural economy.
- Very surprised that they expect farm incomes to double in 5 years. Don't think it can be done.
- Mind you irrigation is a state subject. There are N number of problems.
- Farmer interest intervention is nothing new.
- Not saying what is being provided is wrong, question is the amount.
- During Vajpayee regime we followed a certain model for economic growth. That was to create demand for investment goods, then marshal supply.
- The Finance Minister has indeed concentrated on the right sectors and is going to spend massive amounts of money on roads and railways.
- He has introduced useful tax exemptions.
- This will create employment opportunities.
- It is a win-win from all points of view.
The 9 pillars of Arun Jaitely's Budget
- Agriculture and farmer welfare
- Rural infrastructure
- Education
- Fiscal Discipline
- Tax reforms
- Governance, ease of doing business
- Enhance quality of life
- Massive investment in road, power, transport
- Infrastructure and Investment