From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Feb 1: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has warmly appreciated Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s annual budget for the year 2022-23 as a very balanced and growth oriented budget, which has enhanced outlays for education, health and MSME sectors.

Offering his reaction to the Union budget proposals to media representatives in Bengaluru on Tuesday, February 1, Bommai lauded the efforts to restrict the fiscal deficit and increase the capital outlay along with boosting the digital economy and start-up sectors.

The increase in allocations for the MSME sector, which provides the largest employment, from Rs 50,000 crore to Rs 5 lakh crore was highly commendable and in the decision to launch 500 Vande Bharat trains and increase the National Highways to 20,000 kms will give a big push for infrastructure development.

The Chief Minister also welcomed the decision for increasing the allocation of funds to the States based on the recommendations of the Finance Commission by Rs 1 lakh would help in providing an additional grant of at least Rs 3,000 crore, which would be very helpful in the State’s budget being presented in March.

“Overall, the common man, working classes and business sections stand to gain substantially. The emphasis on bringing reforms in the education sector and increase in allocations to the health sector was really appreciative,” he said.

'Boost to Digital Learning, Start-Ups'

Higher Education Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan said the Union Budget has given emphasis to digital learning and start-up sector.

The decision to launch 200 channels under “One Class, One TV Channel” was very laudable, especially in the present context of online and digital learning and highly suitable for the modern requirements. This will enable the students to get world class education without any difficulties, Dr Narayan said.

The Minister said approval for crypto currency through block chain technology will give a big boost for the deep tech and enable ease of living. The emphasis on start-ups was likely to generate 60 lakh jobs in the next five years, he said.

'Thrust to post-Covid economic development'

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar, who is also handling Medical Education, described the Union Budget as giving a thrust for comprehensive economic development in the post-Covid pandemic period and would speed up economic growth.

Dr Sudhakar praised the thrust on improving mental health and said the emphasis on mental health was very timely and appropriate, especially in view of the large number of people suffering from mental depression due to Covid pandemic.

The minister said the Union Government has given importance to protecting lives and livelihood and given additional allocations to the agriculture sector. The inter-linking of five rivers, including Cauvery, would give a boost to the agriculture development.

'Budget will change economic picture'

Large and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh R Nirani described the Union budget as very pragmatic and realistic that is bound to change the picture of country’s economy.

The minister praised Union Finance Minister for presenting a budget with long-term growth impetus instead of going for a popular budget. It will give a boost to improving economy, generating employment and is aimed at economic development with a vision for growth in the next 25 years. The investments in the country would get a fillip and ease of doing business and thrust on digital economy were very laudable, Nirani added.