Union Budget lays groundwork for superpower status: Biren
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 04 2023:
Chief Minister N Biren Singh has stated that the first 'Amrit Kaal' Union Budget 2023-24 tabled by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is not a regular budget but it is a special one which has been tailored with a vision for the next 25 years.
The Chief Minister who also holds the Finance portfolio continued that the budget was prepared under the supervision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nirmala Sitharaman with a primary objective to make India a superpower in the world.
N Biren made the remark during a one day discussion programme on Budget 2023-24 held at JN Manipur Dance Academy, today.
The programme organised by the State unit of BJP was also attended by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar and Economics Professor Elang-bam Bijoykumar as resource persons.
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At the function, the Chief Minister also refuted the claim raised by the Opposition party that the Budget is anti-poor.
He elaborated that the Centre has uplifted the living standard of many poor families by building their houses under PMAY and other initiatives.
He went on to claim that the Centre has already constructed about three crore houses for the poor under PMAY.
Increasing the fund allocation for PMAY by 66 per cent is meant to help the poor, N Biren remarked and claimed that the Budget is pro-poor.
The Chief Minister further stated that the budget also envisages wellbeing of elders, Scheduled Tribes and backward classes.
Continuing that pensioners pay no tax on income up to Rs 7 lakh under the new tax regime, N Biren maintained that the Budget promotes the idea of 'One Earth, One Family and One Future' .
Maintaining that inclusive development is of paramount importance as development begins from the last mile, he added that the Budget has also increased the fund allocation on infrastructure and capital investment by 33 per cent.
Stating that Ibudhou Marjing, Govinda Temple, Olympian Park and INA complex have been developed to global standard, the Chief Minister said that the number of tourists visiting the State has also increased.
The Centre has also been promoting Start-ups as well as natural farming, he added.
Maintaining that the Covid pandemic which brought untold misery to humankind was a consequence of neglecting nature, N Biren maintained that "we can control many diseases if we keep our forest and nature intact" .
There will be no stable Government if the economy in rural areas is not stable, N Biren reasoned and informed that many schemes have been implemented to keep the economy at the grassroots level stable.
The Government is also working to build a 5 Star level convention centre at Thengu Chingjin with lodging and cafeteria attached, N Biren informed.
Saying that the construction of an amusement park at Potsangbam is also nearing completion and it is likely to be inaugurated by March, the Chief Minister said that the tender process to build concrete road in Imphal City is also on.
Further stating that the tender process to build a water body at Lamphelpat at the estimated project cost of above Rs 660 crore is also completed and machines have started arriving, he added that water from Thoubal dam have reached Chingkhei Ching.
Water from Chingkhei Ching is being fed to water reservoirs for distribution to consumers of Singda Dam Water Supply Scheme, he continued.
BJP State Unit president A Sarda and many BJP MLAs also attended the programme.