Cong betraying nation by opposing farmer-friendly policies:

Accusing the Congress of betraying the nation by opposing government policies for the poor and farmers, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said the people will never forgive it.

While replying to the debate on Interim Budget in Lok Sabha, Goyal said that the Modi Government had taken a lot of initiatives in the past four-and-half years for the benefit of poor, farmers and middle class and the 2019-20 Interim Budget was a continuation of that.

The Interim Budget was later passed by Lok Sabha by voice vote, amid walk-out by the Congress, NCP and CPI-M.

Referring to the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi under which small farmers will be provided Rs 6,000 financial assistance every year, Goyal said that those living in palaces will never understand the importance of Rs 2,000 every four months and hence they "belittle" the scheme.

"This government has changed the working style followed by the Congress. We are moving towards an honest system," he said, adding the government will take harsh steps against fake companies but will do everything to protect the honest ones.