Centre Ready to Have Clause-By-Clause Discussion With Farmers: Sitharaman
On farm laws, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the government has always been open to dialogue with farmers.
“The agriculture minister has been ready to have a clause-by-clause discussion with farmers on the farm laws. Hence we believe that dialogue is the way forward,” said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Fiscal Deficit Increased to 9.5% GDP
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, addressing a press conference after presenting the Union Budget, said that our fiscal deficit has increased to 9.5 percent of GDP.
“Our fiscal deficit which started at 3.5 percent during Feb 2020 has increased to 9.5 percent of GDP, so we have spent, we have spent and we have spent. At the same time, we have given a clear glide path for deficit management,” Shitharaman added.
Health, Infrastructure Focus Of Budget 2021: Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the focus of Budget 2021 was to give importance to health and infrastructure.
“If there are two important features of this Budget, it is that we chose to spend big on infrastructure which spans across roads, power generation, bridges, ports,” said Sitharaman.
She added that as second feature, it tends to the need of the healthcare sector.
“Capacities for better health management had to be brought in in light of what we had gone through last year,” she added.
'Budget Contains Vision of Self-Reliance and Inclusiveness': PM Modi
Soon after the presentation of the Union Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, PM Narendra Modi said it contains a vision of self-reliance as well as inclusiveness.
Calling it a pro-active Budget that provides a boost to wealth and wellness, Modi went on to say, "The Budget focuses on increasing farmers' income, several measures have been taken in this direction. Farmers will be able to get loans easily. Provisions have been made to strengthen APMC markets with the help of Agriculture Infrastructure Fund."
Agriculture Infrastructure Development Cess to be Applicable from 2 Feb
A new Agriculture Infrastructure Development Cess will be applicable from 2 February.
The cess will be Rs 2.5 per litre on petrol, and Rs 4 per litre on diesel, reported PTI.
Meanwhile, an agriculture infrastructure cess of 100 percent will be imposed on alcoholic beverages.