Be the primary driving force of development: PM Modi to private sector | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In a strong message to investors and opponents, PM Modi Tuesday said his govt was not lacking in political will to take decisions based on a “nation first” approach and urged “wealth creators to be the primary driving force” of development, in what was seen as a retort to Congress’s repeated allegations of crony capitalism by the BJP-led coalition govt.
At a post-budget event organised by CII, Modi told a gathering of businessmen that he had not shied away from backing the private sector even during his Independence Day speech.

Nirmala slams Oppn, says no state denied funds in Budget

A combative Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said no state had been denied money in the Budget and asserted that govt had increased allocation for agriculture, health and social sectors, refuting allegations levelled by the opposition.
“I have been picking up on Budget speeches since 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008 and so on. The Budget of 2004-2005 did not take the name of 17 states. I would like to ask members of the UPA govt at that time, did money not go to those 17 states? Did they stop it?” the finance minister said while replying to the debate in Lok Sabha. The comments came in response to statements by opposition MPs that Bihar and Andhra Pradesh were provided funds while several others did not get money.
Sitharaman said the Budget had provided financial support of Rs 17,000 crore to J&K this year, including Rs 12,000 crore for J&K Police. “That’s the burden we want to take on our shoulders,” she said, adding that road projects had been announced in Kerala.
After Sitharaman’s speech, PM Modi said on X, “FM Nirmala Sitharaman presents a very comprehensive picture of this year’s Budget and what it offers for every section of society. She reiterates our govt’s commitment to growth and reforms.”
Sitharaman said repeated attacks on institutions and businesses were a conspiracy. “Today, India’s social fabric, parliamentary traditions, economy and Army, all four are being severely attacked… Entrepreneurship itself is being made a villain… Negativity is being spread towards all those who do business. There is a conspiracy to send a message to the entire world that India is not safe for investors,” the finance minister said.
Positioning her Budget as a balance between social objectives and fiscal consolidation, she said Modi govt had made fiscal prudence, without compromising on welfare schemes, the hallmark of its economic policy. Sitharaman once again slammed Congress-led UPA for off-Budget borrowings, which made the exercise non-transparent.
Stating that formal employment was badly hit during the UPA regime, Sitharaman reeled out multiple reports to argue how more jobs were being created now.
She went on to compare the inflation track record, arguing that during the 10 years of UPA the average inflation was 8.1%, compared with 5.1% during Modi’s two terms.
She hit back at Congress for its demand for MSP guarantee, saying UPA did not accept the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan Commission. Countering opposition’s claims of allocation for SCs/STs being pared, she said, “I would like to ask those questioning us: out of Karnataka govt’s SC/ST fund of Rs 9,980 crore in the budget, Rs 4,301 out of the tribal sub-plan cannot be located. Congress leaders must question their leadership on what’s happening with the SCs in Karnataka.”