Sushil Kumar Modi hails union budget as pro-Bihar

PATNA: Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi today hailed the budget for considering all sections of society and for being 'pro Bihar'.

"The budget has paid attention to all sections of society. The Public Provident Fund limit has been raised to Rs 1.5 lakh from Rs 1 lakh previously. This will encourage the people to save more. It has also raised the tax exemption limit for housing loan interest," Modi told reporters.

"The budget is pro Bihar. The state has been given an Indian Institute of Management. Rs 2,237 crore has been allotted for saving, conserving and developing the Ganga, which cuts across the state and Bodh Gaya has been included in the six cities that will be developed as a national heritage city," Modi said.

The former deputy chief minister said the budget has revived Kisan Vikas Patra and initiated the launch of Kisan TV meant exclusively for agriculture and farmers.

Reacting to JD (U) criticism that there was no mention of special status or package for Bihar, Modi said such things were not part of the union budget.

Bihar would definitely get 'special status and special package', he said.

Criticising the ruling party, he said such a good budget had not been presented in the last 10 years and "JD(U) has got stomach ache about it. It is now searching for a bitter pill in it."