Haryana CM terms Union Budget as investment and growth-oriented

by Haryananewswire
CHANDIGARH, FEB 28
The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has hailed the Union Budget for 2013-14 as investment and growth-oriented, anti-inflationary, pro-poor and crafted with the intent of ensuring inclusive, equitable and sustainable development.
  Reacting to the Budgetary proposals, presented by the Finance Minister, Mr P Chidambaram, to the Lok Sabha today, Mr Hooda was all praise for proposed allocation of Rs 500 crore to start a programme of crop diversification that would promote technological innovation and encourage farmers to choose crop alternatives. Mr Hooda said that it is very encouraging that this programme would be implemented in the original Green Revolution States which face the problem of stagnating yields and over-exploitation of water resources and the answer lies in crop diversification.
          Mr Hooda reminded that the Working Group on Agricultural Production headed by him and constituted by the Prime Minister, had recommended such schemes in the larger interest of the farming community. He said that such initiatives reflect the pro-farmer policies of the UPA Government.
Mr Hooda also welcomed the proposal to carve out PMGSY-II and allocate a portion of the funds to the new programme which will benefit Haryana immensely.
Greater emphasis on farm research, higher allocation for agriculture, extension of the interest subvention scheme and increased flow of credit to the farm sector bode well for the growth of farm economy of the country.
“The farmers have responded well to the slew of welfare measures taken by the UPA Government by setting a new record in the production of food grains, and the steps outlined in the Budget today, will further boost their confidence”, Mr Hooda said.
Mr Chidambaram, working under the able guidance of the UPA Chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, and the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, had done well to create the economic space and find the resources to achieve the socio-economic objectives. He said adding that clarity in tax laws, a stable tax regime and non-adversarial tax administration would surely attract warm response and willing compliance.
The emphasis and higher allocation for the social sector will not only benefit women, children, backward classes and the minorities but would also play the great leveller by pulling down social inequities. Similarly, higher allocations for health and education underscore the commitment of the UPA Government and its concern for the wellbeing of the masses, added Mr Hooda.