People-friendly Budget: CM Sarbananda Sonowal

GUWAHATI: Describing the Union Budget as 'pro-people and pro-poor', chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday said it is a concrete step towards overall development and bridging the urban and rural divide.
"To ensure 'Har Ghar Jal' to all rural households by 2024 under Jal Jeevan Mission, the focus is on integrated demand and supply at the local level, creation of local infrastructure for rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and household waste water management. Assam and other NE states will also be benefited," said Sonowal.
He added that the Budget has made provisions to make electric vehicles cheaper which is good for the environment. The Railways will also receive a major facelift which is good news for the projects in Assam, said the CM.
BJP MP Dilip Saikia added that the Budget has encompassed all sections of people, including the fishing community, for sharing the welfare benefits. "This Budget has given hope to the people of the country. We welcome the pro-people thrust," he said.
However, the opposition Congress is of the view that the Budget did not reflect the mandate the government got. Rajya Sabha MP and Congress state president Ripun Bora said, "There is neither any specific roadmap for job creation nor any thrust on improving the education sector. The Budget talks about a 3-trillion dollar economy but unfortunately we do not see any specific roadmap to achieve this. There should have been equal emphasis on improving grassroots education in the country. Overall, the Budget did not reflect the mandate the government got from the people."
Lok Sabha MP and All India United Democratic Front chief Badruddin Ajmal said the Budget did not reflect the spirit of ' sabka saath sabka vikash. "We did not see any substantial increase in fund allocation for the welfare of minority communities in the Budget. We have written to the government several times to increase the allocation but there is no substantial increase. We expected scholarship for students from the minority community would be increased, but that also did not happen," said Ajmal.