Modi hails budget for 'vision and action'; Oppn dubs it insipid, slams govt for 'all talk'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday praised the Union budget for its "vision and action" and was joined by top BJP leaders in hailing it, but the Opposition slammed Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's announcements as "insipid", saying they show that the government is "all talk".

Sitharaman's second budget, which she took a record 160-minute to present, left opposition parties unimpressed with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying that it offered no strategic idea or anything concrete, and left the issue of unemployment unaddressed.

Former finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram accused the government of being in "complete denial" about the economy facing a "grave macro economic challenge" and said it has given up on reviving the economy, accelerating growth or creating jobs.

However, the ruling NDA's leaders were euphoric in their praise for the budget.

Home Minister Amit Shah said it will contribute significantly in fulfilling the Modi government's resolve to double the income of farmers and provide unprecedented relief to the taxpayers.

"In this budget, the Modi government has taken effective steps to rationalise the tax system, boost the basic infrastructure, strengthen the banking system, promote investment and ease of doing business, which will further the Modi government's resolve to make India a five trillion-dollar economy," he said.

BJP president J P Nadda showered encomiums on the budget, the seventh in a row from the Modi government, calling it "visionary, futuristic, growth oriented, transformative and all-inclusive" and saying that it will ensure development of all sections of society.

The budget reflects aspirations, hopes and faith of the country, he said, adding that it will give impetus to the fulfilment of aspirations of the middle income groups with focus on home for all and by offering relaxation in income tax.

Hailing the budget, the prime minister said it will accelerate economic growth, financially empower every citizen and strengthen the foundation of the economy in the new decade.

Praising it for having both "vision and action", Prime Minister Modi said its provision of faceless appeal, new and simple structure of direct tax, move towards unified procurement system, stress on disinvestment are some of the steps which will reduce the government out of people's lives and will enhance their "ease of living".

"I believe that this budget will increase income and investment, increase demand and consumption, bring new vigour in the financial system and credit flow," he said