Chandigarh, February 1: While hailing the Union Budget-2021 presented by the Union Finance Minister, Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman today as visionary, pro-poor and forward looking budget, the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal said that special focus on farming, healthcare, infrastructure, women and senior citizens would in particular help further improving the lives of people of Haryana.

 In a statement issued today, Mr Manohar Lal congratulated Mrs Sitharaman for presenting Budget amidst unprecedented circumstances and said that it would give a massive boost to the economy and further strengthen the ‘Sankalp of Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

The Chief Minister also thanked Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman for her announcement to extend the Swamitva Scheme to all States and Union Territories in the country.  He said that Haryana is the pioneer State to start a scheme to make the villages of the State free from Lal Dora so as to give the villagers right to own their property, purchase and sell land and take loans on it. This scheme is being appreciated throughout the country and at present it is being run in eight states under the name of “Pradhan Mantri Swamitva Yojana”, he added.

 He said that the significant budgetary allocations and announcements for farmers, healthcare sector, affordable housing, and extension of Ujjawala scheme will have great synergies with the ongoing and planned efforts of the state government in these important areas.

 While hailing the major announcement in the Union Budget-2021 related to the agriculture sector, Mr Manohar Lal said that increased outlay for agriculture credit to Rs 16.5 lakh crore, integration of 1000 more mandis with eNAM, MSP regime, enhancing the allocation to Rural Infrastructure Development Fund from Rs 30,000 crore to Rs 40,000 crore, agriculture infrastructure fund for APMCs for augmenting their infrastructure would help promote sustainable agriculture and realizing Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi’s vision of doubling the farmers income by 2022.

 He also hailed the significant increase in allocation to the healthcare sector saying that it would lift the general well-being in the economy. He said that the allocation is likely to be around Rs 2,23,846 crore, a rise of 137 per cent  from the previous budget. He also highlighted the extension of tax exemption schemes in Affordable Housing and said that it could provide a good multiplier effect on the GDP. He said that exemption of senior citizens above 75 years of age and who have income only from pension and interest income from income tax filing is a welcome decision.

Mr Manohar Lal also praised Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman for the announcement of Minimum wages to all categories of workers, allowing women to work in all categories and also in night shifts with adequate safety. He also thanked the Union Finance Minister for several other significant announcements in the education sector including setting of Higher Education Commission, provision of Rs 50,000 crore for National Research Foundation, setting up 750 Eklavya model residential schools and upgradation of 15,000 government schools which would expand the reach and improve quality.