Panaji: Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industries Jitin Prasada on Wednesday said that the recent Union Budget was a historic one, with even the opposition refusing to criticise it.
“Usually, when the Union Budget is presented, there is criticism from the opposition. This time, when the opposition walked out of Parliament, there was no single criticism by them,” he said, addressing a gathering of professionals in the presence of CM Dr Pramod Sawant and BJP Goa Unit President Damodar Naik in Panaji.
Prasada said that the budget was a historic one with a focus on the middle class and salaried people. “The decision to give income tax exemption will benefit lakhs of people,” he said.
The Union Minister said that the exemption in income tax up to Rs 12 lakh a year will boost the economy of the country. He said that the middle class will have extra money to spend, thereby increasing economic activity.
Prasada said that the recent budget has followed the Prime Minister’s mantra of Reform, Perform, and Transform. “That is what India’s growth story is all about,” he said.
The minister said that there were challenges in the form of three Cs — Covid, conflict (between various nations), and climate change. “These three challenges are not specific to India but affect the entire world. Despite that, the Indian economy remains stable and continues to grow,” he said.
Prasada said that the focus is on increasing exports, reducing imports, and making India a manufacturing hub.
Talking about the benefits of this budget to Goa, the Union Minister said, “The focus of this budget has been on tourism. There is increased support for infrastructure development in various tourism hubs. Goa will be the biggest beneficiary in terms of enhanced connectivity through the UDAN scheme and other measures like e-visas,” he said.
Eco-tourism and beach tourism will be promoted through the PPP mode, he said, adding that incentives to the pharma industry sector will also benefit Goa.
“The pharma industry in Goa contributes to 12 percent of the country’s pharma sector,” he said.
