PM Modi feels Budget '18 focuses on 'Ease of Living'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that Union Budget for the next fiscal year also focuses on 'Easy of Living', apart from Éase of doing Business'.

"This Budget is farmer-friendly, common man-friendly, business environment-friendly and development-friendly. In addition to 'Ease of doing Business', it has also focused on 'Ease of Living'," Prime Minister Modi said on the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

"Greater savings for middle class, new generation infrastructure for the 21st century India, and better health of insurance were all concrete steps towards 'Ease of Living'," PM Modi added.

The Prime Minister put great emphasis on the provisions in the budget that benefit the farmers, rural population, Dalits and other backward sections of the society.

A record Rs 14.50 lakh crore has been allocated for villages and agriculture sector in the budget, the Prime Minister informed.

The provisions made for upliftment of farmers enumerated by PM Modi includes extending the benefit of exemption in income tax enjoyed by cooperative societies to Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) as well, Kisan credit card for saving farmers from the hassle of bank loans, Gobar Dhan Yojana to keep villages clean as well as to help increase the income of farmers and cattlemen.

PM Modi also commended the decision regarding Minimum Support Price (MSP) for kharif crops, which will now be 1.5 times the production cost.

"I congratulate the Finance Minister for the decision regarding Minimum Support Price. I am sure it will help the farmers tremendously," Modi said.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, the Prime Minister said that connectivity with rural markets, higher education centres and hospitals would be facilitated, thereby improving life in rural areas.

The spirit of 'Ease of Living' also seen in Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, under which the government provides free LPG connection to rural households, PM Modi said, adding it also leads to women's empowerment.

For the development of backward sections and the common masses, PM Modi said that a provision of approximately Rs one lakh crore has been made in this budget.

The new scheme 'Ayushman Bharat' aimed at the poor section, is also the world's biggest health assurance scheme on government expenditure.

"10 crore poor and lower middle class will be the beneficiaries of this scheme, which means almost 45 to 50 crore people will come into the fold," Modi said.

Prime Minister also commended the step towards set up of 1.5 lakh wellness centres in rural areas aimed at ease in availing medical facilities in villages.

"With the establishment of 24 new medical colleges across the nation, medical facilities will increase but the youth will also find medical education easier. Our effort is there should at least be one medical college in every three constituencies," Modi said.

The Prime Minister further added that roads, toilets and such other infrastructure projects would directly benefit the Dalits and other backward sections of the society.

The Prime Minister also touched on the schemes charted out for the senior citizens, salaried section, and small scale entrepreneurs.

"Once again, I heartily congratulate the Finance Minister and his team for the budget that facilitates 'Ease of Living'," PM Modi concluded.

Earlier in the day, Finance Minister presented the Union Budget at the Parliament.