Budget 2023 Reactions LIVE: Amit Shah Says Push To Cooperative Sector 'All-inclusive, Visionary'
Union Budget 2023-24 Reactions LIVE: Follow this page to stay updated with the latest reactions on Union Budget 2023.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched an attack on the Union Budget and said that the budget is 'a great disappointment for Rajasthan.'
Taking to social media, Gehlot wrote, "If we talk about the Union budget in the context of Rajasthan, then this budget has been a great disappointment for the state." Stating that people are in a distressed mood in the state, he said, "People of the state are disappointed because the central government did not accept our demands of giving national status to ERCP, an important project related to the development of Rajasthan state."
While Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party state president Dr Satish Poonia has described the budget as an 'all-inclusive budget'. Poonia said that the expectations of the middle class and deprived sections would be fulfilled from this budget. "Every category has got something or the other in the budget," he added.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched an attack on the Union Budget and said that the budget is 'a great disappointment for Rajasthan.'
Taking to social media, Gehlot wrote, "If we talk about the Union budget in the context of Rajasthan, then this budget has been a great disappointment for the state." Stating that people are in a distressed mood in the state, he said, "People of the state are disappointed because the central government did not accept our demands of giving national status to ERCP, an important project related to the development of Rajasthan state."
While Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party state president Dr Satish Poonia has described the budget as an 'all-inclusive budget'. Poonia said that the expectations of the middle class and deprived sections would be fulfilled from this budget. "Every category has got something or the other in the budget," he added.
“The budget the Finance Minister presented today is very good and futuristic. The outlay for health sector has increased this year and stands at Rs 88000 crores. The outlay for expenditure has increased in almost all areas — Ministry of Health, Ayushman Bharat, Department of Health Research, and for Tuberculosis and HIV programmes.
The budget is futuristic as it has opened the path for creating Centres of Excellences —three institutions dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Robotics and 3D printing. We know that complex surgical procedures require the intervention of these three specialities and will be helpful for healthcare.
India is facing a workforce shortage. We are short of one million doctors, two million nursing staff and three million workers in allied health sciences. In the budget, 157 medical colleges have been asked to co-work with nursing colleges to increase manpower allocation and provide training. This is a huge step.
Last Independence Day, Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced a campaign ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan’. He stressed the need for research. In the latest budget, ICMR has been given a phenomenal increase in expenditure, enormous research potential, and the capacity to tap private institutions for research. This is an encouraging step.
The government is dedicated to ‘Make in India’ campaign. There is a massive impetus for making medical equipment and manufacturing big-ticket items and high-tech medical devices. The budget has asked industries to participate, and we will have to look into the details to find what exactly has been allocated.
The budget focuses on eliminating sickle cell anaemia, and the programme has taken a new dimension. There is screening for seven crore people who belong to the age group of 0-40 years. Surveillance mechanisms will be put in place at tribal, rural, semi- urban, and urban areas. It will be done in collaboration with other stakeholders. This is an extremely encouraging step.
With the health sector expanding and many new hospitals coming up at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, the availability of a skilled workforce is an agenda of concern. This financial budget does talk about building a skilled workforce or capacity building.
Even though the budget looks very good and futuristic, there are certain concerns. Healthcare cost is increasing day by day and it is becoming increasingly dependent on advanced technology, and 45 % of our bill goes into the procurement of medical devises which are used on the patients and along with costly pharmaceutical products.
This budget does not talk about reduction and import duty and any provisions for building hospitals and healthcare facilities in Tier 2 / Tier 3 regions. It does not mention any inclusion or expansion of insurance sector. Hence it does not meet the requirement of universal health coverage to which the government is committed. We would have been happy if something could have been done for universal health coverage and reduction of healthcare cost. It would have helped patients who come to the hospital.”
"With a focus on accessible, affordable and inclusive health care for all along with an emphasis on improving health infrastructure, bettering R&D for innovations and improving healthcare services in the country, the Union Budget 2023 for the healthcare sector is a step in the right direction. This will ensure that everyone in India gets access to healthcare services. The initiatives announced to strengthen the digital healthcare infrastructure will prove to be beneficial for the healthcare sector in the years to come. The budget also emphasizes the need for preventive healthcare measures, which will go a long way in reducing the burden of preventable diseases and illnesses. All in all, it is an inclusive budget for the healthcare sector to benefit all sections of society," says Vishal Gondal, Founder & CEO, GOQii, a Smart Preventive Healthcare Company.
"With a focus on accessible, affordable and inclusive health care for all along with an emphasis on improving health infrastructure, bettering R&D for innovations and improving healthcare services in the country, the Union Budget 2023 for the healthcare sector is a step in the right direction. This will ensure that everyone in India gets access to healthcare services. The initiatives announced to strengthen the digital healthcare infrastructure will prove to be beneficial for the healthcare sector in the years to come. The budget also emphasizes the need for preventive healthcare measures, which will go a long way in reducing the burden of preventable diseases and illnesses. All in all, it is an inclusive budget for the healthcare sector to benefit all sections of society," says Vishal Gondal, Founder & CEO, GOQii, a Smart Preventive Healthcare Company
With a focus on digitalization and formalization, the budget is investing in digital public infrastructure that will position India for continued growth and competitiveness. The education sector is a key area of investment, with the launch of PM Schools for Rising India, the recruitment of 38,800 teachers, and the establishment of a National Digital Library for children. These initiatives will help equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for success in the future, and the emphasis on teacher training and innovative pedagogy will ensure that the quality of education in India continues to improve. This forward-thinking budget sets India on a path towards self-reliance and global competitiveness.
Anjan Bose, Founding Secretary General, NATHEALTH, Former President of Philips Healthcare & Consumer Lifestyle, currently Advisor to eminent organisations like FICCI Healthcare/MedTech, Tata Medical and Diagnostic
"That the first Budget in Amrit Kaal has been balanced and positive, is corroborated by the significant jump in both SENSEX and NIFTY 50...Healthcare got it's sunshine moments and good focus through 157 new Nurses college, mission to eliminate sickle cell anaemia, incentivising Pharma R & D, dedicated skill courses for futuristic Medical technologies,high end manufacturing...Announcing setting up of 3 centres of excellence for Artificial Intelligence with the vision of "Make AI in India & make AI work for India" should have positive transformational impact across segments in Healthcare sector..We hope the focus on increasing Healthcare expenditure as a percentage of GDP in the post pandemic period continues..."
The Union Budget 2023-2024 allotted 2.1 % of GDP to the health sector in FY23 against 1.4 % in FY19. The announcement of Union Budget 2023-2024, AMRITKAL-Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ by the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman has been encouraging. there is a big push for an ambitious target to eliminate sickle cell anemia by 2047. 7 crore people between the ages of 0-40 will be examined in the affected tribal areas. Programs like these can be a path-breaking model for future programs to address other ailments like curable blindness.
The increased emphasis on AI research and development is unquestionably a step in the right direction. It will help create sustainable healthcare solutions. This will eventually benefit the public at large. As stated by the FM, leading industry players will collaborate with renowned educational institutions to establish three Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centers of Excellence, conduct interdisciplinary research, create cutting-edge applications, and find scalable solutions to problems in the fields of health, agriculture, and sustainable systems.
"It is a progressive budget with a focus on infrastructure development, which should in turn spur job creation. The steps to encourage environment-friendly consumption and businesses are very welcome too. The budget is also mindful of the expectations of the youth and the middle class."
We welcome the Union Budget 2023-24 announced by FM Nirmala Sitharaman and applaud the focus on research and innovation as these factors are essential in driving value-added growth. Fostering a robust research ecosystem will help in achieving universal health coverage by enabling accessibility, and availability of life-saving medicines. It will also improve India's intellectual capital and contribute to accelerating our growth toward becoming a $10 trillion economy by 2035.
We welcome the announcement that cigarettes would be more expensive with the increased custom duty of 16%. This is a positive move in the right direction in reducing non-communicable diseases in the country; especially as it discourages the younger population from smoking.
Government's focus on replacing old government vehicles is a very welcome move and will provide a boost to the auto industry at large. In addition, the budget gives a huge impetus to the EV industry, further reiterating the Government's steady push for fleet modernization. We are hopeful that keeping in line with this, the policy initiatives will continue to accelerate the rapid adoption of green technologies. As India steps into an electrified future, we at Lexus are leading the change by combining futuristic technology with a human-centric approach. With the goal of zero emissions, we will continue to take significant steps towards this by actively contributing to society at large. However, based on the increase in duties suggested in the Union Budget, we may have to adjust the prices of few of our models. We hope to have better clarity once we study the overall impact of the same.
Union Budget 2023: BJP Chief JP Nadda said that the Budget is people-friendly, pro-poor and inclusive.
Budger 2023: Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said that the budget isn't addressing the real sentiment of the country that is unemployment and price rise.
"It only had fancy announcements that were made earlier too but what about implementation? Only insurance companies were benefited from PM Kisan Yojana, not farmers," he said.
Budget 2023: BRS leader Kavitha Kalvakuntla said, "This budget is the mathematical confirmation of the failure of Modi government. This seems like a budget for a few states. We hoped tax rebate of up to Rs 10 Lakhs. In Telangana, we pay good salaries to people so this rebate is of no use to us."
"Centre announces development projects in either poll-bound states or BJP-governed states. They announced Rs 10,000 crore for infrastructure, which infrastructure? They are not clear. They owe us Rs 1000 cr and I request Finance Minister to pay our dues," she added, quoted ANI.
Budget 2023: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said that the Union Budget does injustice to the people of the national capital. He said Delhi residents paid Rs 1.75 lakh crore as income tax, yet only Rs 325 crore was given for the city's development.
"This Budget does not bring relief from inflation, no strong step to reduce unemployment. Reduction of education Budget from 2.64 pc to 2.5 PC is unfortunate," he said.
The CM added that it is harmful to reduce Health Budget from 2.2 pc to 1.98 pc.
Reacting to the Budget 2023, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh tweeted, "Last year's Budget drew applause for allocation towards agriculture, health, education, MGNREGA & welfare of SCs. Today the reality is evident. Actual expenditure is substantially LOWER than budgeted. This is Modi’s OPUD strategy of headline management—Over Promise, Under Deliver."
Union Budget 2023: Farmers in Ambala, Haryana have said that there is nothing for them in the Budget. They say no announcement on seeds, fertilisers, or diesel prices has been made which could have brought some relief to them.
People involved in animal husbandry get nothing from the budget, the farmers added.
Budget 2023: Changes in income tax slabs will not help anyone, says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, reported PTI.
Member of Parliament Navneet Rana said that the Union Budget 2023 is better than expected.
She said that it focuses on the strengthening of Eklavya schools, startups, nursing colleges and employment generation.
Union Budget 2023: Lok Sabha MP Jayant Sinha said that the Budget provides balance and stability to the economy.
"It focuses on macroeconomic stability, the middle class has been given relief, capx has been increased, focus on green growth, boost to cooperative sector," he said.
Budget 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Union Budget and said that it builds a strong foundation to fulfill the dream of a developed India.
He also hailed the steps taken to boost MSMEs, and other sectors.
Budget 2023: Newly elected Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav said, as quoted by ANI, "It's a Budget presented keeping the elections in mind, while some relaxations have been given to the middle class. The Government has not said anything about MSP for farmers, employment & youth. Railways were also ignored in this budget. It has been a disappointing budget."
She added, "The Budget focuses on the coming 3 years, but today petrol, and gas have become expensive. No subsidy has been announced on fertilisers for farmers, nothing for youth and rising unemployment."
Union Budget 2023: Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti said that the Budget is same that had been coming for the last 8-9 years.
She said, "Taxes increased, money not being spent on welfare schemes & subsidies. Tax is collected for some crony capitalists & big businessmen. The public should benefit from taxes but it's breaking their back...Instead of benefitting them (common people), welfare schemes and subsidies are being scrapped. People who had risen above the poverty level have fallen below the poverty level again."
Budget 2023: "It is a pro-corporate budget. All interests of Adani are fulfilled in this budget, but the common man has been ignored. This budget is for Adani, Ambani, and Gujarat."
Budget 2023: JD(U) MP Rajiv Ranjan said, "There is nothing in Budget. It is like ‘Sapno Ka Saudagar’ - nothing comes true when you wake up after a dream. Also, nothing was mentioned about how to control inflation and unemployment."
Budget 2023: Union MoS for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar said that focus has been made on technology, the health sector, sickle cell and its treatment.
"Development of ICMR labs and new tech has also been focused upon. All sectors are taken into consideration in the Budget," she said.
Union Budget 2023: Reacting to Budget announcements, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, "No solution to price-rise, inflation, unemployment. Poor got just words & rhetoric. Budget benefits only the big industrialists."
He added, "Tax rebate up to Rs 7 Lakhs is insignificant considering the inflation & price-rise, it’s like a drop in the ocean for the middle class," quoted ANI.
Budget 2023: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar said that it was a revolutionary budget that will give relief to every section of society.
"New income-tax rates give relief to individuals. The outlay for PM Awaas Yojana has been enhanced by 66% in this budget, I welcome this," he added.
Union Budget 2023: Union minister Smriti Irani has praised FM Nirmala Sitharaman for the Budget and called it a 'middle-class bonanza'.
"I'd like to extend gratitude to PM Modi. I won't look at the Budget minutely. Going by today's pronouncements, I believe that in the budget, respect for women increased. I also welcome the announcement of the National Digital Library for children and adolescents," she said, quoted ANI.
She added, "I express gratitude to the FM that she presented a new option for Savings, in honour of women. Today's budget reflected how 'Nari Shakti' can build an empowered nation...this is a middle-class bonanza budget but PM has spoken about inclusive growth. This has been an inclusive budget. There was something for SC, ST, OBC, women and elderlies."
Budget 2023: BJP MP Tejashvi Surya said, "I want to thank PM Modi and FM Sitharaman for the announcement of the over Rs 5,000 crore irrigation project for the Upper Bhadra region of Karnataka. This project will be a game changer for the state."
Budget 2023: AAP MP Sanjay Singh said that the Budget proposes nothing for Kisan and Jawan. He said that the mere rebate of Rs 50,000 for the lower limit of taxable income is no relief for the middle class.
LJP chief Chirag Paswan called the Union Budget 2023 'inclusive' adding that every section of the society has been taken care of -including the middle class which contributes most to the economy.
Budget 2023: Congress leader Karti Chidambaram said that he welcomes any kind of relief in tax cuts for the common man.
Budget 2023: Congress MP Manish Tewari has slammed the Budget announcements and said that the finance minister said nothing on the country's debt of Rupees 18 lakh crore.
He said the Budget should not take the country into 'Bhootkaal'.
BJP MP and former union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the budget not only takes care of the middle class but also addresses the issues of tribals, the poor, and fishermen.
He said it focuses on digital growth, and tax exemption is a big relief.
Budget 2023: BJP MP Gautam Gambhir has praised the Budget and said that some really good announcements have been made.
He said that the increase in tax slab is a big relief for the common man.
Budget 2023: TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha says that while the tax slab reduction has been announced, nothing has been said on unemployment, petrol-diesel, and the debt the country has on it.
He said, "The reduction on highest tax slab seems to be for 'Hum Do, Hamare Do'."
Budget 2023: Experts are praising the budget presented by Nirmala Sitharama saying that it is a balanced one.
They hail the decision to increase in tax slab and allotment to Railways, while making TV, mobile cheaper which will directly benefit the comman man.
Budget 2023: AAP leader Sanjay Singh questioned the Modi government on the budget asking 'whose' income got doubled.
The comment comes while the budget speech is underway in Parliament.
Budget 2023: Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has said that the Union Budget will be a 'budget for selective people'.
Budget 2023: Congress Lok Sabha Chief whip K Suresh said that the budget the government's budget will be focused on the '2024 Lok Sabha polls'.
"We expect that this budget will ideate 2024 General Elections, for an advantage in 2024 elections and some state elections. The last 3 budgets focussed on corporate & upper-class. Middle class & common people were totally ignored," he said.
He added, "We don't think this Govt is giving any concession to salaried people. They are announcing the budget only for eyewash schemes. They did the same in previous budgets. This time, focussing on the 2024 elections, some schemes & reliefs may be announced."
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said that the opposition should show large-heartedness for the country's development.
"They(Oppn) shouldn't show dissatisfaction. If they have grievances, let it be against Govt. They should show large-heartedness to show satisfaction for the country's development...This will be the best budget. This will be a pro-poor, pro-middle class budget," he said, quoted ANI.
Budget 2023: Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that a press conference will be organised with experts after Budget is tabled in the Parliament.
Congress MP P. Chidambaram will address a press briefing at 5 PM in AICC.
Budget 2023: Divyangs expect accessibility, relief in tax structure from the central government.
Budget 2023: Experts on ABP News have said that while there is a need for change in the tax slab but given the previous record, it seems difficult.
Union Budget: Women taxpayers have told ABP News that they expect a dedicated tax slab for women like it exists in the case of senior citizens. They say it will truly empower women.
Budget 2023: A member of the film industry said to ABP News, "We are not valued as much...but if the finance minister lowers the Entertainment Tax, it will be good for us given the success of 'Pathaan' after Covid-19."
Budget 2023: FOunder of a startup has told ABP News that he expects the government to bring more clarity on GST for startups and other benefits too.
Union Budget: Experts on ABP News said that the Budget 2023 will be realistic and they expect it to be women-friendly.
Union Budget 2023 will meet the expectations of every section of society. Modi govt has always worked in the favour of the people of the country, said MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary.
Union Budget 2023: Experts suggest on ABP News that the Budget 2023 will set the path for India's future.
Background
Budget 2023: The crucial day is here when Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government 2.0 will be presenting its last full-fledged budget ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in 2024. Citizens are expecting several pocket-friendly announcements from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
To make people aware of the pro-people measured announced in the Budget, the BJP will start a 12-day nationwide campaign on Wednesday.
The government may try to appease every sector of society to consolidate its grip on power. From major industries to MSMEs, salaried classes to farmers, and education to healthcare, everyone is eyeing some relief from this Budget.
On Tuesday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey (2022-23) in Parliament. The Economic Survey 2022-23 has forecast India’s GDP growth for the next fiscal 2023-24 in a broad range of 6-6.8 per cent. Its baseline forecast for real GDP growth is 6.5 per cent.
Income Tax
1. Taxpayers are hoping for further exemption in the current taxable income from Rs 2.5 lakh per annum to Rs 5 lakh per annum. According to experts, this may result in extra savings of approximately Rs 1,000 per month for all taxpayers.
2. Salaried individuals also hope for the exemption ceiling under 80C to be extended from the current Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh in a fiscal year.
3. Currently, an individual can claim a deduction for health insurance premiums and expenses for up to Rs 25,000. Experts say that given the increase in medical expenses, the limit should be enhanced to Rs 50,000.
4. The salaried class is also hoping for some rationalise in the new tax slab structure. Introduced in Budget 2020, the new tax regime has lower rates of taxation but there is no option to claim any deductions on house rent allowance, investments, insurance premiums etc.
Health Sector
1. As per experts, the healthcare sector needs commercially low capital-intensive projects at district and taluka levels to address large patient volumes and access affordable pricing for quality services.
2. The healthcare industry is also waiting for the government to enhance its budgetary support in increasing healthcare and insurance penetration following the pandemic.
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