Budget 2017: Opposition politically tainting a good step, says BJP

New Delhi [India], Feb. 2 (ANI): Branding the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley as 'historic and unprecedented', Union Minister of Steel, Mines and Employment Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday said, that it has lived up to the expectations of people from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The budget presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is historic and unprecedented. This budget is focused on the youth, farmers and poor. This budget has lived up to the expectations of the people from Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Tomar told ANI. Condemning the contrasting view of the Opposition over the Annual Budget, Tomar further said that it is unfortunate that even a good thing is seen as a political move. Echoing similar sentiments Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader G.V.L. Narasimha Rao said that the Budget is for the people of the country and added that the every section of the society has been benefited from this. "The government has really promoted digital payment and transparent payments for the first time giving a huge fill up to transparent economy, clean economy and every step has been taken to end parallel economy. Certainly this is a huge continued attack on black money and corruption by the government," he said. On Wednesday, Jaitley presented the General Budget proposals for 2017-18 in Parliament and said the major thrust of his fourth budget is on stimulating growth, relief to middle class, affordable housing, curbing black money, promoting digital economy, transparency of political funding and simplification of tax administration. The Finance Minister also outlined the government's overarching agenda - 'Transform, Energise and Clean India'. He also said the government's emphasis will be on implementing all these proposals for the benefit of the farmers, the poor and the under privileged sections of the society. The Budget has evoked diverse reactions from nation across with most of the BJP-opposing parties criticising it for the absence of any breakthrough schemes facilitating compensation for the cash shortage in the country due to demonetisation. (ANI)