The ruling BJP today hailed the Rajasthan 2017-18 budget as "visionary and exemplary" while Opposition Congress dubbed it as "disappointing", even as industry bodies welcomed it.
Terming the budget presented by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje as "an exemplary financial planning", BJP state president Ashok Parnami said it reflects the BJP government's resolve to make Rajasthan a progressive state.
The BJP MLA said the CM has taken care of all sections of the society including women, the youths, farmers and others, while "trying to provide something to everybody" in the budget.
The budget has made adequate provisions for the medical and health sectors and met the people's expectations, said Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf, adding it has hiked the expenditure for medical education by 33.40 per cent.
Jaipur Mayor Ashok Lahoti too lauded the budget dubbing it as a "visionary one, sure to boost development of the state".
Former Congress chief minister Ashok Gehlot, however, said it was a "disappointing budget," with important projects like oil refinery finding no place in the CM's budget speech.
Gehlot said that ambitious projects like on oil refinery, phase-II of Jaipur metro rail and Dungarpur-Banswara and Ratlam Rail line, besides the Memu coach factory of Bhilwara, did not find a mention.
"The government has also not taken any step to control inflation," he said.
Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), however, welcomed the budget saying it is a step towards inclusive growth.
Rajasthan CII chairman Rajat Agrawal said, "The budget has put major emphasis on education, health, water, roads and rural economy. The reduction in Air Turbine Fuel cost will motivate air carriers to bring their flights to Jaipur for refuelling."
"The sum of Rs 88 crore allocated to tourism sector would promote the state tourism which is the lifeline of our economy," he added.
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