Budget 2015 good for industry, people; nothing for farmers: SAD

NEW DELHI: BJP ally Shriomani Akali Dal today hailed the Union Budget as being good for industry, growth and investment in the country but lamented there is "nothing special" for farmers in it.

Welcoming the budget, Union Minister and SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal gave it "10 on a scale of 10" and credited Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for presenting an "amazing" budget that takes care of all sections in society and said it will see the common man progress.

"I credit our Finance Minister, who despite constraints, has made good allocation to various departments. He has made the highest ever allocation to MNREGA.

"It is an amazing budget. It's what the people of the country need. It is not a budget meant just for the rich, but it is a total budget which is addressed to the poor, the weaker and to the underprivileged in the country," she said.

Badal added that Jaitley has taken care of all sections like the poor, elderly, women, youth, disabled, children and their protection. "Such things are being talked which the nation badly wanted."

She also hailed the big schemes including irrigation, soil health for farmers and said she was happy that now the common in the country will progress.

Her fellow party member in Rajya Sabha Balwinder Singh Bhunder said overall there is relief for the industry and a number of plans have been announced, but there is nothing special announced for farmers.

"Overall, for the industry, growth and investment, it is fine. But for agriculture, (there is) nothing special for benefit of farmers and farming," he said.

Bhunder added that going by President's address and amid talk of FCI moving away from procurement, though goverment is talking of setting up a national agriculture market commission its details are yet to be seen.

Akali leader and Lok Sabha MP Prem Singh Chandumajra welcomed the budget, especially its focus on social security, education, health services and infrastructure.

"The demand of several states seeking special assistance has been fulfilled. But Punjab has been kept out of it. We believe Punjab also deserves it because Punjab has undergone much loss in Indo-Pak wars and it is a border state.

"The incentives given to hill states have also been a disadvantage, so we want that Punjab be included in the states to whom special assistance is given and its economy grows," he said.