India's growth rate is not NDA/UPA issue: Arun Jaitley

NEW DELHI: Finance minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday warned the opposition not to derive "sadistic thrill" from the manner in which they had obstructed government business, saying that obstructionism couldn't be a "long-term ideology".

"India's growth rate is not NDA/UPA issue," Jaitley said and pleaded with the opposition not to "obstruct or delay" the reform process in "one way or the other".

His appeal came at a time when some key reform legislations like Land Acquisition Bill, Coal Bill and Mines and Minerals Bill are stuck in the Upper House because of stiff opposition by some parties.

Replying to the debate on the General Budget in Rajya Sabha, Jaitley said the choice was 'between slogan and substance' and that in a democracy there was always need for maturity. Stating that economic progress cannot be a partisan issue, Jaitley sought cooperation of the opposition to ensure that India used the "historical opportunity" available to achieve double-digit growth.

The finance minister rejected the charge of being 'pro-corporate' and underlined that the country needs high growth for creation of jobs, addressing social issues and development of infrastructure. He said fiscal deficit, current account deficit and inflation were all "under control" and that the rupee was keeping pace with the dollar.

The Rajya Sabha later approved the Appropriation Bill 2015-16 by a voice vote, marking completion of the first phase of the budgetary exercise.