Chandigarh, Feb 1 (IANS): Hailing the Union Budget as pro-farmer and pro-poor, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday said that the common man would benefit due to reduced income tax liabilities in different slabs.

Also, he said, the ground has been laid for achieving a higher GDP rate by giving a boost to digitisation, infrastructure and industry.

In a statement here, the Akali leader welcomed the allocation for the agricultural sector.

He said that farmers across the country, including Punjab, would benefit from the central government's decision to go solar by subsidising 20 lakh standalone solar pumps.

The former Chief Minister said that the decision to set up Kisan Rail through the PPP mode to transport perishable goods quickly as well as Krishi Udaan to transport agricultural goods to national and international destinations would give the much-needed boost to the vegetable and horticulture sector in Punjab.

"Insurance cover to six crore farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna is also a path-breaking step and will shield the farmers from the vagaries of nature," Badal said.