Express News Service
NEW DELHI: Union Minister For Information & Broadcasting, and Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur hails the Union Budget, saying it has laid the foundation for a new India. In an interview with this daily, Thakur talks about a range of issues, including slashing of allocation for MGNREGA and Parliament logjam, besides the Budget.
Excerpt:
What are the highlights of this budget?This Budget is all inclusive, transparent and visionary. Every section of the society — poor, women, youth, middle class, farmers and self-help groups – has been taken care of. The focus is on infrastructure improvement that will create more jobs. Significant allocation has been made for each sector. The foundation of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) has been laid to build a new India. Emphasis is on improvement of incomes. The focus is on green economy that will lead to green jobs. India will become a hub for green hydrogen; we have already sanctioned Rs 37,000 crore for the same. We are looking at an investment of about Rs 8 lakh crore in this field.
The Budget allocation for the ministry of sports and youth affairs has been increased by 11%; the highest since 2010. What are the plans?PMNarendra Modi wants India to be a ‘sports superpower’. Sports infrastructure is being spruced up. We will work on the improvement of National Centres of Excellence. High altitude training centres will be built.
Opposition is criticising the cut in allocation for MGNREGA by 30%…The Congress government used to spend Rs 30,000 crore whereas even during the pandemic, we spent over Rs 1.14 lakh crore. It is a demand-driven scheme. Last year, the payout was Rs 99,000 crore. Whenever the demand comes up, the Budget is provided.
The Opposition-ruled states have been raising the old pension scheme issue. What is your response?Whatever promises they had made before the elections; they should keep. Himachal Pradesh CM (Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu) said he has no funds to fulfill the promises. They promised Rs 1,500 to women and also the old pension scheme. What were their calculations before the elections? They should answer.
After three days of disruptions on the Adani issue, Opposition parties agreed to end the logjam. What is your take?Parliament gives them an opportunity to raise the issues related to the common man. They (Opposition) missed the opportunity. They could have a longer period to discuss issues concerning the public, during the question hour and discussion during Motion of Thanks on the President’s address. A couple of political parties were running away from the discussion.
NEW DELHI: Union Minister For Information & Broadcasting, and Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur hails the Union Budget, saying it has laid the foundation for a new India. In an interview with this daily, Thakur talks about a range of issues, including slashing of allocation for MGNREGA and Parliament logjam, besides the Budget.
Excerpt:
What are the highlights of this budget?
This Budget is all inclusive, transparent and visionary. Every section of the society — poor, women, youth, middle class, farmers and self-help groups – has been taken care of. The focus is on infrastructure improvement that will create more jobs. Significant allocation has been made for each sector. The foundation of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) has been laid to build a new India. Emphasis is on improvement of incomes. The focus is on green economy that will lead to green jobs. India will become a hub for green hydrogen; we have already sanctioned Rs 37,000 crore for the same. We are looking at an investment of about Rs 8 lakh crore in this field.
The Budget allocation for the ministry of sports and youth affairs has been increased by 11%; the highest since 2010. What are the plans?
PMNarendra Modi wants India to be a ‘sports superpower’. Sports infrastructure is being spruced up. We will work on the improvement of National Centres of Excellence. High altitude training centres will be built.
Opposition is criticising the cut in allocation for MGNREGA by 30%…
The Congress government used to spend Rs 30,000 crore whereas even during the pandemic, we spent over Rs 1.14 lakh crore. It is a demand-driven scheme. Last year, the payout was Rs 99,000 crore. Whenever the demand comes up, the Budget is provided.
The Opposition-ruled states have been raising the old pension scheme issue. What is your response?
Whatever promises they had made before the elections; they should keep. Himachal Pradesh CM (Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu) said he has no funds to fulfill the promises. They promised Rs 1,500 to women and also the old pension scheme. What were their calculations before the elections? They should answer.
After three days of disruptions on the Adani issue, Opposition parties agreed to end the logjam. What is your take?
Parliament gives them an opportunity to raise the issues related to the common man. They (Opposition) missed the opportunity. They could have a longer period to discuss issues concerning the public, during the question hour and discussion during Motion of Thanks on the President’s address. A couple of political parties were running away from the discussion.
