Union Minister Chirag Paswan hails budget as inclusive with provisions of "bridging gap between rich and poor"

New Delhi [India], February 1 (ANI): Union Minister Chirag Paswan has applauded the Union Budget 2025, calling it an inclusive financial plan that addresses the key socio-economic disparities between urban and rural areas, rich and poor and bridges the gap.
Paswan expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for their efforts in crafting a budget that prioritises infrastructure development and economic inclusivity.
"...I would like to thank PM Modi and FM Nirmala Sitharaman as this Budget strengthens the idea of building a developed country with which we are going forward. This Budget has provisions to bridge the gap between rich and poor as well as villages and cities. Handholding of youth, women and middle class is being done and the same has been mentioned...I think this is a budget that touches every sector...," he said.
Paswan also expressed particular appreciation for several Bihar-specific initiatives and said, "I would like to especially thank the Finance Minister for the infrastructure development announced for Bihar, greenfield airport was mentioned, expansion of the airport was announced, expansion of IIT Patna was announced...New tax slabs were announced with the idea that people would be left with more money in their hands. Overall, this is a beautiful and strong budget."
Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has praised the Union Budget 2024-25, describing it as a progressive and forward-thinking financial plan that promises to accelerate both national and state-level development.
Kumar expressed particular appreciation for several Bihar-specific initiatives, including the creation of the Makhana Board, greenfield airports in Bihar and the Western Kosi Canal Project in Mithilaanchal, and said all this will significantly contribute to the state's economic growth and infrastructure expansion.
Meanwhile, in her budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced several sops for Bihar where assembly polls are due towards the end of this year.
She announced that Greenfield airports will be felicitated in Bihar in addition to the expansion of the capacity of the Patna Airport and a brownfield airport in Bihta. Sitharaman said, "Greenfield airports will be felicitated in Bihar to meet the future needs of the state. These will be in addition to the expansion of the capacity of Patna airport and a brownfield airport in Bihta."
She also highlighted the Western Kosi Canal ERM project in the Mithilanchal region of Bihar. "Financial support will be provided for the Western Kosi Canal ERM project benefitting a large number of farmers cultivating over 50,000 hectares of land in the Mithilanchal region of Bihar," she said.
However, an independent MP from Bihar's Purnea, Pappu Yadav said that no discussions were held on sectors like education, health, fertiliser, farmers and schemes Agviveer.
"... Tax relief limit has been increased to Rs 12 lakh but those with Rs 25 lakhs per annum will be giving 30 to 40 per cent taxes, the money is still being retrieved from the people of the nation... There was no discussion on education, health, fertiliser, farmers, Agviveer... They just have taken the name of Bihar, but no actual discussion...," said Yadav. (ANI)