Budget stresses on empowerment of poor, middle class: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Thursday that the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman offers the "guarantee" of strengthening the foundation of a developed India.

In a televised address following the budget, he said it will empower the four pillars of developed India, namely the young, poor, women and farmers.

"This is a budget of creating India's future," he said, adding that it is a reflection of the young aspirations of a young India.

Citing the announcement of Rs 1 lakh crore fund for research and innovation, he noted that the "historic" budget has also offered rebates for start-ups. It has provisions for a huge capital expenditure of Rs 11.11 lakh crore while keeping the fiscal deficit under control, he said.

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The budget empowers the poor and middle class and will create countless employment opportunities for the youth, he said.