Budget lacks vision, its anti-poor and anti-common man: Modi

Describing the Union budget as "vision-lacking one" to help make India emerge as the global economic superpower, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi today termed it as "anti-poor and anti-common man".

"During the last five years, Congress-led UPA government had been saying that as they were taking the support of the Left parties so they could not initiate economic reforms. But why have they not initiated any financial sector reform this time," Modi questioned.

"There is total absence of a visionary action plan for developing India as the global economic superpower in this budget," Modi said while reacting to the budget presented by Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee.

"The increase in fuel prices is an insult to common people who are already reeling under the massive burden of price rise. This will fuel inflation and increase the difficulties of poor as well as middle class," Modi said.

He said budget will halt the development of progressive states like Gujarat. "Manufacturing sector has a great contribution in the progress of Gujarat. However, by increase of Central excise on manufacturing sector, the Central government has created a new problem for the industries here," he added.

Gujarat's textile industry has been given a death blow by the Centre in this budget, Modi said. "The Central government has decided to give Rs200 crore special package to textile industry of Tirupur in Tamil Nadu which is a state ruled by UPA. While on the name of pollution the same Central government has decided not to give permission to set up 60 new units in Gujarat," Modi said.

He further said that Central government's decision to increase Central import duty on gold and silver will adversely impact gems and jewellery business in Gujarat.

Modi said government has given Rs200 crore for beach development in Goa, while Gujarat, which has 1,600kms-long coastline, has been totally ignored.

"This budget is anti-Gujarat and it will adversely impact industrial development of the state," Modi said.

He further alleged that the Central government lacks the will to give food security to people of the country.