Economist Prof Nisar Ali on Thursday said the current budget is focused on welfare and infrastructure building unlike previous budgets where greater focus was on fiscal issues, resource generation and allocation to various social and economic sectors.
“This budget is reform oriented aiming at policies on direct taxes and customs duties. The budget is a rural focus with sizeable allocation to agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries development all of which are prominent in our state and we hope to get benefitted,” Prof Ali said. Ali said the rural focus on the budget in form of Rs 11 lakh crore earmarked for rural credit is a shot in the arm for rural population. “We expect some share for our state as well. With horticulture also being provided an impetus, and that being a major sector in J&K, I hope it will have positive impact on state. The budget aiming at health cover of 10 crore people by allocating Rs 5 lakh crore is also a pro-people announcement,” he said.