Jamshedpur। The General Budget 2018-2019 was presented in Parliament today by Shri Arun Jaitley, Hon’ble Finance Minister, Government of India.
Speaking on the Budget, Mr N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons said, “The key highlight of this budget is that it reflects a timely and appropriate focus on rural India. While overall economic growth is recovering and running at a 7% pace, on the ground we see that the most rapidly growing data is related to urban activity. As we enter a stage in the cycle where rural demand is slowing, the focus on rural support – Rs 14.3 lakh crore earmarked for rural infrastructure, and targets to double farmers’ incomes, generate non-farm rural jobs, and improve rural sanitation—will help sustain India’s long-term growth trajectory.”
He further added, “Similarly, the provisions to enhance farm price support, expand food processing, and liberalise agricultural exports are encouraging; the next leg of reforms in agriculture will have to focus on reducing production risk and addressing yield and storage deficiencies to raise competitiveness.”
Mr Chandrasekaran expressed his delight on the increasing share of the Budget toward healthcare initiatives with the introduction of the National Health Protection Scheme, which will be the world’s largest public health insurance initiative, and the allocation of Rs. 1200 crore to the Ayushmaan Bharat programme.
ame.
