BJP hails budget, opposition calls it pro-rich

The government Saturday hailed the Union Budget 2015-16 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling it "progressive and practical" while the opposition slammed it for being "pro-rich".

Modi, commenting on the budget presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, said the budget had a "clear vision".

"It is a budget that is progressive, positive, practical, pragmatic and prudent," Modi tweeted.

Modi said the budget has "distinct focus on farmers, youth, poor, neo-middle class and the aam nagrik (common man). It delivers on growth, equity and job creation". He further added that the budget is also "investment-friendly and removes all doubts on tax issues".

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders joined Modi in appreciating the budget, and Home Minister Rajnath Singh called it "pro-farmer, pro-poor, and pro-unemployed youth".

"So far, eradication of poverty and unemployment used to be just rhetoric. This is a pro-poor, pro-farmer and pro-unemployed youth budget that will make India a modern nation," Rajnath Singh said.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said he would give the budget "9.5 marks out of 10".

The opposition parties, however, slammed the budget for being pro-rich.

"The speech is full of good sound bytes and ideas but lacks implementation measures. Only corporate will be benefited," Congerss leader Shashi Tharoor said.

Congress leader Kamal Nath said the budget has not made any announcement for increasing the purchasing power of rural poor, including the youth.

"There is nothing in the budget about the development of rural areas" Nath said. In a lighter vein, he said the budget is full of commissions, committees and promises.

Former petroleum minister and Congress leader M. Veerappa Moily said the finance minister has "given chocolates" to people.

"The GDP is looking good because of a new method of calculating it. Even the chief economic advisor said he is confused about the GDP figures. Jaitley has given only chocolates," he said.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Mohammed Salim said: "We don't buy the argument of trickle-down effect that the government has given through this budget. This concept has failed worldwide. The government has given perks to the rich in hope it will trickle down to the poor."

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said the budget is "impractical" and "only for corporates and not for the poor".