India under Modi seeing all-round growth: Ex-CM

SHIMLA: Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur today credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with ensuring all-round development of the country in every sphere, as was reflected in the Interim Budget presented today.

Thakur, while addressing mediapersons here, said that the Budget had many new initiatives that would make India the fifth strongest economy in the world. “It is a matter of pride for us that Himachal has made strides in every sphere under his leadership, making India a strong nation. The NDA government will present a regular Budget after the Lok Sabha elections,” he added.

He said, “Modi ji has spoken about green energy and tapping rooftop solar energy in the Interim Budget. This will help consumers get 300 units of free power. The Budget has many incentives for helping self-help groups and a target of making three crore women rich has been set.”

He said that the Prime Minister believed that the nation was above everything else. “Be it Article 370 abrogation, construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, pro-poor welfare schemes, infrastructure development or having a strong foreign policy, the Prime Minister has delivered on every front,” he added.

Thakur said that 25 crore people had been brought above the poverty line and three crore people had been provided houses. “About 80 crore people have been provided free ration, which is not a small task. The GST collections have doubled. A provision has been made to cover ASHA and anganwari workers under the Ayushman Bharat yojana,” he added.