The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today said if India succeeds in achieveing 8 per cent growth, the winner will be the people of India.
In an exclusive interview to Prasar Bharti, Dr Singh said the finance minister has done a commendable job. Dr Singh said multi pronged strategy needed to deal with challenges of fiscal deficit, inflation and currect account deficit.
Addressing his post budget press conference in New Delhi, finance minister P Chidambaram said the main thrust of budget is to signal fiscal prudence.
Finance Minister said the growth rate above 6 per cent is sure sign of economic recovery.
Defence Minister A K Antony has said the measures that the Finance Minister has outlined for the rejuvenation of the economy while ensuring inclusive growth, are indeed commendable.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari in his tweet said, the budget is prudent, productive and progressive and it would boost growth.
Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has said, the budget will help the country get back to robust growth. Talking to a private TV channel he said, it also assures foreign investors.
The General Budget 2013-14 has evoked mixed reaction by various political parties and industry bodies.
The Congress has said the Union Budget for 2013-14 is excellent under the current circumstances. Talking to reporters in New Delhi today Party spokesman Sandeep Dikshit said the Finance Minister Mr P Chidambaram tried to bring in a balance between the fiscal prudence and attracting investments into the country.
Former Finance Minister and BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said the budget was just a jugglery of statistics.
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, an outside supporter of UPA, has said the budget is anti-farmer and anti-poor. Mr Yadav vowed to oppose it in Parliament.
Terming the budget as confusing, BSP chief Mayawati said the proposals are hollow and fail to provide relief to the common man and unemployed.
Calling it as an election budget, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said no efforts have been made to mobilze funds and generate revenue. He also criticized the cut in subsidies.
The senior CPIM leader Sitaram Yechuri has said that the budget will only enrich the rich and impoverish the poor, leading to higher inflation. He said the budget is good in symbolism and tokenism.
The Industry bodies FICCI and CII welcomed the Union Budget. FICCI President Naina Lal Kidwai termed the measures announced in the budget as responsible and well managed.
CII President Adi Godjrej termed the Union budget as development oriented and said it aims at inclusive growth.
