Achievement against odds: Ashok Chavan

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, by making substantial provision of Rs 11,000 crore for urban and Rs 40,000 crore for rural infrastructure, has given much-needed impetus to the economy in these difficult times.

Achieving 7.1 per cent growth in the current financial year and overall growth of around 9 per cent in the tenure of this government is no mean achievement in the current economic scenario. Credit for this achievement must be given to the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The announcement of Indira Gandhi Pension Scheme for widows underlines the commitment of the United Progressive Alliance government to the weaker sections of society.

The increase of 35 per cent in defence expenditure shows the present dispensation gives top priority to the country’s security.

Ashok Chavan, CM, Maharashtra