Bid to mislead, confuse people

People are struggling from the economic impact of the lockdown. They were expecting some relief. The CM’s two-and-a-half-hour-long speech did not provide any relief to farmers, labourers, workers, businessmen and homemarkers.

— Bhupinder Hooda, Leader of Opposition

Farmers, Employment in focus

The Budget has a progressive vision. It will increase state’s growth rate. It has made additional allocation for every section of society. Every department has been strengthened. The Budget has focused on farmers, employment for the youth, and new roads and railway tracks.

— Dushyant Chautala, Deputy Chief Minister

Govt pushing state into debt

People are in economic distress because of the pandemic. They had high expectations from the Budget, but their hopes have been dashed. The government is working to push the state into debt. The allocation for the education sector has been reduced.

— Kumari Selja, State Congress President

Joke on the common man

The Budget is misleading. The state’s economic situation is grave. Debt has been increasing and no development activity is taking place. The Budget is a joke on the people as they were expecting relief from the rising fuel prices. The cost of production for farmers has increased.

— Abhay Chautala, INLD leader

ExpertSpeak

In the right direction

The Budget is in the right direction. Capital expenditure at 25% is a good step. Salary and pension to the total revenue receipts have been the lowest since 2014-15. Haryana’s debt liability at Rs 2 lakh crore is less than Punjab’s.

Prof Satish Verma, RBI Chair Professor, CRRID

Some more efforts needed

Increased allocation to higher education is a laudable step. This will help universities get ready to implement the National Education Policy. Some more efforts are needed to build an ecosystem for quantum economic growth.

Prof Tejinder Sharma, Kurukshetra University

On the sidelines

Proposals buoy up Hisar residents

Hisar residents are buoyed over the Budget proposals as the town figures prominently in development schemes. The proposal to develop Hisar alongwith Panchkula has come as good news for the residents. A total of 4,200 acres contiguous land to the existing airstrip has been transferred to the Civil Aviation Department. Night landing facility is proposed at four airports, including Hisar. There is a proposal to extend the length of all airstrips to 5,000 ft.