Summary:
SHIMLA: Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur termed the Interim Budget 2019-20, presented by Union finance minister Piyush Goyal , as historic which meets the expectations of all sections of the society and would set the developmental agenda for the country for the years to come.He said this is an excellent Budget which would take the nation on the path of progress and prosperity.He said various major announcements have been made for farmers, poor, women, students, businessmen and middle class. Setting up of ‘Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog’ to upscale sustainable genetic upgradation of cow resources and to enhance production and productivity of cows is also a welcome step.He said that a new scheme 'Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan' has been announced to provide pensionary benefits to at least 10 crore labourers and workers in the unorganised sector which would be one of the largest pension schemes of the world in next five years. These include a new deal for 12 crore small and marginal farmers with direct income support, a path breaking pension initiative for 10 crore unorganized sector workers, exempting income up to Rs 5 lakh from income tax, reforms in stamp duty and highest ever budgetary allocation of Rs 3 lakh crore for defence.He said the new scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)’ has been announced to extend direct income support at the rate of Rs 6,000 per year to farmer families, having cultivable land up to 2 hectares..