Union Budget pro poor, to benefit farmers: Himachal ex-CM Jai Ram Thakur

Shimla, July 23

Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and state BJP president Rajeev Bindal today said that the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was oriented for the welfare of the poor, women, farmers and the youth.

Thakur said that the assistance announced in the Budget for restoration work post the monsoon disaster last year was a big decision that would provide relief to the people of Himachal. “I had personally met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for providing help to Himachal for the restoration of the damaged infrastructure. I thank all of them for accepting our request,” he added.

He said that investment in the agriculture sector would help in increasing production, storage and marketing facilities, allowing farmers to sell their produce on their own terms. “This budget is based on protecting environmental interests with maximum exploitation of renewable energy sources, which will pave the way for maximum production and use of green energy in India,” he added. Thakur lauded the announcement of Rs 10 lakh loan to students for higher education, with a three per cent discount on interest.