The Hindu : New Delhi News : Mixed reaction by parties

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 09, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Mixed reaction by parties

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JULY 8. There has been a mixed reaction to the maiden Union Budget of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government from the two main political parties in the Capital. The Delhi unit of the Congress has welcomed the Budget presented by the Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, in Parliament today while the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have criticised it for ignoring the basic problems of the country and not announcing any major scheme or project for the Capital.

In a statement, the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president, Prem Singh, said the Budget was aimed at overall development and progress of the country. "The Budget has made provisions to protect the interests of government servants, poor people, senior citizens, farmers, students and those belonging to lower and middle class of society."

According to Mr. Singh, the income tax exemption up to Rs.1 lakh would benefit many taxpayers while by not touching the rate of interest on provident fund schemes, Mr. Chidambaram has provided relief to employees of both government and private sectors. He also welcomed the increase in deposit rates for senior citizens.

The DPCC chief also said the Budget had made special provisions to give a boost to small-scale industries besides making agricultural implements cheaper. "The farmers will benefit a great deal as the Budget has made provision for various incentives like insurance, power at cheaper rate and reasonable pricing of agricultural products."

However, the BJP's Delhi unit said through his Budget, the Finance Minister has shown false dreams to the people. "The Budget has totally ignored the basic problems of India. In fact, it has been prepared under the pressure from the Left parties and the Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad Yadav, keeping in view the forthcoming Assembly elections in States where they are strong," said the Delhi BJP chief, Harsh Vardhan.

Mr. Chidambaram's Budget had failed to address the four basic problems of the country - corruption, extremism, unemployment and population control, he said, adding that he had shown undue favouritism while announcing sops for states. "While Bihar has got a special package of over Rs.3,200 crores, nothing has been announced for Delhi. Besides, step-motherly treatment has been meted to the BJP-ruled States," he alleged.

Dr. Vardhan also lambasted the Congress-ruled United Progressive Alliance Government of not extending the income tax exemption limit to crores of government and private sector employees. "The Finance Minister has deprived crores of middle class families from these benefits. He has also but unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers by announcing a two per cent. After raising prices of fuel and cooking gas, this is yet another setback for crores of middle class households in the country," he remarked.

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