Silvester D’ Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Feb 10: “The union budget for 2023 is far-sighted and promising. It could be tabled only by a strong government,” said Udupi district BJP co-spokesperson Shivakumar. He was speaking in a news conference at the Kundapur mandala BJP office.
“This is the last budget of the union government in its second term. It is a budget of Rs 45.03 lac crores and a growth of 14% can be seen if it is compared to the budget of 2022.23.”
“The achievements of eight years of the BJP government have been the beacon for this budget. There is a digital revolution in the country. The business during 2022 was Rs 7,400 crores. 1.74 toilets have been constructed, 9.4 crore free gas connections were provided under the Ujwala scheme, free Covid-19 vaccinations were administered to 220 crore people, 47.8 crore Jan Dhan accounts were opened, Rs 44.04 crore Ayushman health insurance amount was paid, about 2.20 lac crores was credited to the accounts of 1.4 crore farmers,” he said.
“Women’s empowerment, women’s savings certificates, financial help to 81 lacs self-help groups, support to skills of traditional craftsmen, improvement of tourism, impetus to greenery are planned,” he said.
“Distribution of funds are divided into seven groups. It has Anna Yojane, Vishwakarma Kaushalya Samman Yojane, help to senior citizens, women and the middle class, encouragement to the youth through skill development, greenery, increase of basic facilities and digital touch,” he said.
“Historic changes are made for payment of income tax where income up to Rs 7 lac will be tax free. The employed have a standard deduction of Rs 50,000. The size of the budget before the BJP came to power was Rs 15 lac crore. GDP during 2013 was 112 lac crores. It has become Rs 270 lac crores now. The foreign exchange has reached $600 billion. India will be the third economic force as per IMF, World Bank and experts. India will be the second economic force in the world by 2045,” he said.
Mandala president Shanker Ankadakatte, chief secretary Suresh Shetty, Sathish Poojary Vakwadi and media division’s Srinidhi were present.