Economy will grow but with inflation, warns Jaitley

NEW DELHI: The Opposition BJP today asked the government to protect the salaried income people from the impact of price rise as inflation remains its biggest worry.

"I am confident that Indian economy will grow but with inflation. This (growth) will not be due to the Budget but the entrepreneurial skill of the people," Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said.

Wholesale price-based inflation rose to near double digit level of 9.89 per cent in February.

Participating in the debate on general budget, Jaitley urged the Finance Minister to consider the plight of the salaried class so that benefits given by one hand is not taken by the other through taxes, like the fringe benefit tax.

He expressed concern over the pace of work in the infrastructure sector, particularly the NHAI, and said "some adventurism" of the Planning Commission too has led to the delay, especially the new rules in the tendering process.

Jaitley wanted to know from the government, the status of implementation of 'one rank-one pension' scheme for ex-servicemen saying the Budget indicates this has not been done.

The BJP leader also wanted some effective steps to boost the tourism sector.

Sudarsana Natchiappan ( Congress) highlighted the broad features of the Budget and said it has focussed on all areas and nothing has been left out.