New Delhi: The Budget 2012 evoked mixed responses from the political class and the corporate sector alike. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee unveiled the Budget against the backdrop of a slowing economy, predicting a 7.6 pc growth rate in 2012-13.
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Budget will only serve to enhance inflation, instead of curbing it. "This Budget will only enhance inflation. There is no big vision of growth. It is a survival budget. There is no plan for investment in India. It causes pain to the common-man."
Prasad added, "2012 was the year to stir growth but you have saddened the people. And the growth story will suffer all the more."
Meanwhile Ananth Kumar said the Budget was "anti-aam aadmi".
"It is an inflationary budget," he added.
Shahnawaz Hussain said the Budget had put additional burden on the common man.
"This Budget is very disheartening," he said.
The Left did not shy away from criticising the Budget either.
"A clerical staff could have presented this Budget," said the CPI(M). "This Budget is completely ineffective to turn around the economy. The indication is that there will be FDI in retail."
The party added, "The Budget is purposeless and fruitless. It will not bring any change in the distress level of the people."
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said, "Proposals in the Budget are deterrent to the working people of India. Those who can afford, have been given concessions, while those who are burdened, have been burdened further through indirect taxes."
BSP's Vijay Bahadur Singh said the Budget was a potion for farmer suicides.
"It is not an aam-aadmi Budget, not for farmers. This will increase farmer suicides," he said, adding, "They tried to make it a populist Budget keeping 2014 in mind. That hasn't happened either. It's a mediocre budget."
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress leader Sudeep Bandopadhyay said the Budget was "tolerable". However, he added that "more" could have been done for agriculture.
However Congress leaders have shot back saying that the soaring markets were a hint that the Budget had been well-received. Said Congress leader Narayanswamy, "It is unfortunate on part of the BJP to criticise the Budget. One indication is that the share market has improved and Pranab has given support and relief to agriculture."
Meanwhile, Defence Minister AK Antony said, "In the given situation, it’s the best Budget. I hoped for more for defence but I am happy."
Home Minister P Chidambaram said, "At the end of a difficult fiscal period, he has given a Budget which will lay foundations of a good financial future. I commend the FM. After the end of a difficult year, the FM has tried to consolidate the Budget for the future."
Kapil Sibal too praised the Budget as being a "commendable" effort in a difficult year.
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