Budget 2021 live updates: Budget for tourism ministry slashed by 19%; industry unhappy

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and state Congress President Kamal Nath has termed the Union Budget as "disappointing".Reacting to the Union government's General Budget, Nath said, "The people of the country had high hopes from this General Budget which came today during the critical coronavirus pandemic crisis, but this Budget has led to a lot of disappointment among the people."

"All sections of the society have been taken care of in this Budget. I believe this is the Budget to turn the disaster into an opportunity during Covid pandemic," Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan said.

I congratulate finance minister for bringing such a budget despite the adverse impacts of Covid-19, Nitish Kumar said.

Farmers protesting at various sites on the borders of Delhi on Monday unequivocally said they are only concerned about their common goal of having the three farm laws repealed, and what has been offered to the agriculture sector in the Union Budget does not matter. Randhir Singh, 48, from Kaithal district of Haryana, who has been camping there since December, said, "Our only goal right now is to see the three laws repealed. Union budget is not of immediate concern to us."

Union minister for information and broadcasting Prakash Javadekar hailed the Union Budget 2021-22 as forward looking and said it will give a major fillip to employment. Speaking to the media after the presentation of the budget by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament, Javadekar commented that the coronavirus pandemic has hit economies across the world, but India is moving forward towards prosperity along with winning the battle against Covid-19.

Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Ka Budget is a budget of opportunities, which will further growth in a wide range of sectors. This is a Budget that will further ‘Ease of Living’ and bring many positive changes for individuals, investors, industry and infrastructure, tweets PM Modi.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday announced a Rs 18,000 crore scheme to augment public transport in urban areas. While presenting Union Budget 2021-22, she said the government would work towards raising the share of public transport in urban areas through expansion of metro rail network and augmentation of city bus service.

Hinduja Group Co-Chairman Gopichand P Hinduja said the proposed capital expenditure of Rs 5.54 lakh crores, 34.5 per cent higher than the current year, augurs well for the infrastructure, manufacturing industry and job creation and also welcomed the hike in the foreign direct investment (FDI) cap for the insurance sector.

“The budget is just what the doctor prescribed for a quick healing of the Covid inflicted economy. While the country waits for the vaccine, the FM has administered the booster shot already!. It was bold in its approach, expansive in its reach, creative it its solutions and reassuring in its vision. The focus on asset monetization, building through capital investment and paving the path for growth through further reforms gives a lot of confidence for investors . I am beyond happy with what the FM has delivered.” Harsh Goenka, Chairman- RPG Enterprises

It has strengthened Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts towards doubling farmers' income and making India fastest growing economy in world, says Amit Shah